Unique family simul by the Karácsonyi siblings in Budapest
Standing: Bánk and Gellért, sitting: Luca and Kata On December 28, 2025, four siblings from the Karácsonyi family – all rated above 2000 – hosted a remarkable 150-board team simultaneous exhibition in Budapest, Hungary. The simul-givers were: IM Gellért Karácsonyi (2412) Kata Karácsonyi (2238), who earned her third WIM norm in December Luca Karácsonyi (2064) Bánk Karácsonyi (2107), the youngest of the quartet The siblings shared every board, taking consecutive moves in rotation. This required deep mutual understanding of each other’s thought processes across all 150 games. Two players lost by forfeit, but on 148 remaining boards the games were played to completion. After six hours, the Karácsonyi siblings won 109 games, drew 22, and lost only 17. Notably, the opposition included many experienced players – not just beginners. Kata Karácsony, the top scorer for Hungary at the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, in action during the simul To the best of available knowledge, no similar event has ever taken place in chess history: a simul featuring four siblings, playing so many boards, and achieving such an impressive result. It was both an inspiration for chess-playing families and a lively celebration of the game for the Budapest chess community – one that organizers and fans alike hope will be repeated.
Jadon Simiyu and Julie Mutisya win highly competitive Kenya Chess Championship
Thirteen-year-old Jadon Simiyu and Jully Mutisya were crowned the new Kenya National Chess Champions following a highly competitive and professionally organized Kenya National Chess Championship 2025, held at the Westwood Hotel in Westlands from December 26 to 31, 2025. The six-day event brought together the country’s strongest players in a demanding classical format that showcased the depth, discipline, and growing maturity of Kenyan chess. The championship was contested over 11 rounds under standard classical time control, with players competing in two games per day. This rigorous schedule tested not only opening preparation and endgame technique, but also physical endurance, emotional resilience, and sustained concentration. Throughout the week, the playing hall witnessed intense battles, grueling endgames, and decisive moments that shaped careers and the future of Kenyan chess. The stakes were among the highest in the nation’s chess history. In a landmark move reflecting Chess Kenya’s strong commitment to gender equity, both the Open and Ladies Section champions received brand-new cars. Additionally, all participants in both sections earned guaranteed cash prizes, ensuring every qualifier was rewarded for reaching the national stage. Beyond the prizes, the championship served as Kenya’s official selection event for international representation. At the conclusion of the 11 rounds, the top five players in both the Open and Ladies sections qualified to represent Kenya at the 46th Chess Olympiad, scheduled for September 2026 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The championship produced a defining and historic moment for Kenyan chess when 13-year-old Jadon Simiyu emerged as the winner in the open section. Displaying remarkable composure and consistency throughout the tournament, Simiyu handled the pressure of elite classical chess with maturity far beyond his years. Already Kenya’s youngest-ever FIDE Master, a title he earned earlier in 2025 after winning the Quo Vadis Open Chess Championship in Nyeri, Simiyu once again rewrote the record books in Westlands. By navigating the grueling 11-round marathon with precision and confidence, he became the youngest Kenya National Chess Champion in history, a result that signals not just individual brilliance but the arrival of a new generation ready to carry Kenyan chess forward on the global stage. Final standings – Open The Ladies Section delivered its own compelling narrative. WCM Julie Mutisya demonstrated resilience, determination, and true championship mentality. After an early setback in Round 2 against WCM Bella Nashipae, Mutisya responded with disciplined, purposeful play, steadily climbing the standings as the competition progressed. Entering the final round, the situation was clear and unforgiving: only a win would secure the title, with WFM Sasha Mongeli and Nicole Albright still in contention. Fully aware of the stakes, Mutisya rose to the occasion, winning her final game under pressure to deservedly claim the 2025 Kenya National Ladies Chess Championship. Final standings – Women A notable highlight of the championship was the dominance of Equity Chess Club, both national champions belong to. This achievement underlined the club’s growing influence within Kenyan and African chess. In 2025, Equity Chess Club also made continental headlines as the only African corporate team to participate in the FIDE World Corporate Chess Championship held in Goa in November, marking a historic milestone for African corporate chess representation and reinforcing the club’s role in elite player development. With the conclusion of the 2025 National Championship, Chess Kenya now turns its focus toward preparing its Olympiad teams, strengthening high-performance training structures, and further developing the national competitive pathway. Key priorities include providing international exposure ahead of Samarkand 2026 and reinforcing the Grand Prix circuit to deepen competition and identify emerging talent. Under the leadership of President Benard Wanjala, deputized by Andrew Owili, the federation remains committed to building a sustainable, competitive, and internationally respected chess ecosystem. As Kenya looks toward the World Chess Olympiad 2026, the 2025 National Championship will be remembered as a defining milestone, one that crowned new champions, showcased extraordinary young talent, and reaffirmed Kenya’s growing presence and ambition on the global chess stage. Text and photos: Chess Kenya
Gabriel Davidson and Rose Berline Seine crowned Haitian Champions
CM Gabriel Davidson and WCM Rose Berline Seine emerged as the winners of the 2025 Haitian Championship. Despite a particularly challenging national context, the Haitian Chess Federation (FHE) upheld its commitment to sporting continuity, training, and talent development by successfully organizing a National Championship that brought together the country’s best male and female players. Held from December 20-28, 2025, the event featured open and women’s sections, each with 12 players representing several cities and chess clubs across Haiti, all of whom qualified through national elimination tournaments. Both competitions were round-robins with classical time controls. The top five players in each section qualified to represent Haiti at the 46th Chess Olympiad, scheduled for September 2026 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The opening ceremony and initial rounds took place at Hôtel Montana. The event later moved to Villa Saint-Viateur, where players and officials were accommodated to ensure optimal preparation, rest, and security. Open section : A commanding victory CM Gabriel Davidson, representing Le Pion Chess Club, delivered a commanding performance in the open section, scoring an impressive 9.5/11. The champion conceded just three draws and became the only undefeated player in the tournament. The following players qualified for the national team to represent the country in the 2026 Chess Olympiad: CM Gabriel Davidson – Tour du Roi FM Jean-Louis Marckens – CAVINT FM Etienne Angelo – GHA Chess Club CM Kemly Germinal – Tour du Roi Victor Wyclef – CAMACE The return of Jean-Louis Marckens and Kemly Germinal to the top 5 confirms the competitiveness and stability of Haiti’s elite chess level. Complete final standigns – Open Women’s section: A dominant display Rose Berline Seine (Le Pion Chess Club) dominated the women’s event, winning all eleven games and securing the title with a round to spare. Other players qualified for the national team: WCM Mérisena Cadeau – Inyon Davena Jonet – GHA Chess Club WCM Kineberlie Dunat – ENLA Valencia Jean-François – GHA Chess Club Complete final standings – Women The FHE Executive Committee, under the presidency of Jacky Lumarque, oversaw the event’s overall coordination. Technical and operational management was provided by: Jacques Muller Luxama Joël Bernard Sabrina Jean-Baptiste Jonathan Lafontaine Their collective commitment ensured the full success of the championship. The Haitian Chess Federation expresses its sincere gratitude to its institutional and private partners, whose support was decisive in the successful organization of the 2025 National Championship. Notable partners include: Bank of the Republic of Haiti (BRH) Office of the Prime Minister Groupe Capital ENLA Université Quisqueya AAFDS Sakala The FHE also thanks the media, photographers, graphic designers, Chess.com, and volunteers who contributed to the success of the event. Special recognition is extended to Tessa Maximilien, Karl Philippe Alexis, and Sybille Alexis for their continued support. Photos: Federation Haitienne des Echecs
Hong Kong International Open 2025: A record-breaking success
Top 10 finishers in the Hong Kong International Open Chess Championship, Open Category The 2025 Hong Kong International Open Chess Championship, organized by the Hong Kong China Chess Federation, concluded successfully at Wan Chai’s Queen Elizabeth Stadium. The event attracted over 400 players from 30 regions, including Australia, the United States, Germany, Korea, India, and Southeast Asia. The total prize fund was boosted by nearly 20% from the previous edition, with over 80 titled players competing for the title. Thirteen years of progress: A new chapter for Asian Chess Since its inception in 2010, the Hong Kong International Open has now reached its 13th edition. This year marked a historic milestone, featuring the largest number of Grandmasters and International Masters in its history and setting records for both titled player participation and total entrants. The opening ceremony was graced by distinguished guest Akaki Iashvili, a member of the FIDE Management Board and Chairman of the FIDE Events Commission, who made the ceremonial first move to officially inaugurate the championship. As one of Asia’s largest and most prestigious open chess championships, the event is not only a celebration of the sport but also a significant occasion for Hong Kong. It is estimated to have contributed nearly HKD 10 million in economic impact through tourism, hospitality, and related activities. To showcase Hong Kong’s unique local culture, the organizing committee presented several top-seeded players with a special Cantonese-style gift set from the beloved brand “Foodie Dim Sum” during the opening ceremony. This gesture celebrated the players’ arrival and invited them to experience Hong Kong’s famed “yum cha” dining tradition – a true taste of the city’s vibrant culinary charm beyond the chessboard. KK Chan, President of the Hong Kong China Chess Federation, stated, “Our vision is to make the Hong Kong International Open Chess Championship an annual gathering where chess enthusiasts from around the world come together to compete, connect, and contribute to our vibrant international chess community.” China and Mongolia players claim victories After seven days and nine rounds of intense competition, the top three places in the Open Category were claimed by Mongolia’s IM Amartuvshin Ganzorig (pictured below), China’s GM Peng Xiongjian and India’s GM N R Visakh. The remaining top-ten finishers were: 4th place: IM Vilka Sipila (Finland)5th place: IM A R Ilamparthi (India)6th place: GM Jacek Stopa (Poland)7th place: GM Pang Tao (China)8th place: GM Abhijeet Gupta (India)9th place: FM Sehyun Kwon (South Korea)10th place: GM Maxim Vavulin (Germany) Complete final standings – Open In the Challenger Category, players from China and Hong Kong, China, swept the podium. The standings were topped by China’s Zheng Xiner, the only female player in the top ten, followed by China’s Li Tianbo in second and Hong Kong, China’s Tong Ho Man in third. The remaining top-ten finishers in the Challenger Category were: 4th place: Lam Yui Hei (Hong Kong, China)5th place: Geng Haolin (China)6th place: Guo Bo Kai Owen (Hong Kong, China)7th place: Stanislav Khudovekov (FIDE)8th place: Zhang Hanwen (Hong Kong, China)9th place: Zhang Yangming (China)10th place: Andrew Andi Wu (USA) Complete final standings – Challengers Official website: hkcfl.com/
FIDE January 2026 rating list: Key moves and standouts
The final month of 2025 was dominated by fast-paced events such as the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League and the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships, leaving little room for classical tournaments. Consequently, the top of the January 2026 standard rating lists saw minimal movement. The Women’s top 10 remained unchanged, while the Open top 10 experienced a minor shift as Anish Giri climbed two spots. Biggest rating gains in top 100 Open and Women Rakhmangulova, Anastasiya WGM UKR 2358 (+28) Savitha Shri B IM IND 2356 (+22) Kamalidenova, Meruert IM KAZ 2386 (+20) Abdusattorov, Nodirbek GM UZB 2751 (+19) Anton Guijarro, David GM ESP 2662 (+16) Nihal Sarin GM IND 2716 (+15) Ivic, Velimir GM SRB 2638 (+15) Badelka, Olga IM AUT 2410 (+15) Mkrtchyan, Mariam WGM ARM 2368 (+15) Sarana, Alexey GM SRB 2686 (+13) Despite the focus on faster time controls, several players posted significant gains in the standard list thanks to strong classical performances in December. Photo: Michal Walusza Anastasiya Rakhmangulova (pictured above) had a standout month, overperforming in four European events to gain 28 rating points and reach a career-high No. 80 in the Women’s top 100. Savitha Shri B returned to the Women’s top 100 after a 14-month absence, courtesy of strong results at the VI Ellobregat Open in Barcelona and the XII International Sunway Chess Festival in Sitges (+22 points). Meruert Kamalidenova (pictured below) lso excelled in Barcelona, collecting +20 points and achieving a personal best of No. 57 among women. Nodirbek Abdusattorov delivered a stellar performance at the 2025 XTX Markets London Chess Classic, gaining 19 points and moving closer to the Open top 10. David Antón Guijarro dominated the Spanish Championship to claim both the national title and +16 rating points. The 21-year-old Nihal Sarin continued his steady rise: victory at the President’s Cup “Masters” in Uzbekistan (+15) propelled him into the Open top 30. Photo: Michal Walusza Velimir Ivić returned to the Open top 100 after a three-month absence following his triumph in the XTX Markets London Chess Classic Open (+13 points, though noted elsewhere as part of broader gains). Olga Badelka posted a solid result at the FE 6 Roma Città Aperta (+15), while Mariam Mkrtchyan tied for first at the Kazakhstan Women’s Cup 2025, also gaining +15. Photo: Michal Walusza Alexey Sarana reclaimed a spot in the Open top 40 after winning the KazChess Masters. As expected, the year’s premier rapid and blitz event – the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships – triggered the major shifts in those rating lists. Magnus Carlsen, despite a 12-point drop in blitz, continues to dominate both the rapid and blitz lists after his double victory in Doha. Photo: Lennart Ootes Arjun Erigaisi made his debut in the top 10 of both Open Rapid (No. 3) and Open Blitz (No. 7) following excellent performances in Qatar. Joining him in the Open Rapid top 10 is FIDE World Cup winner Javokhir Sindarov, who gained 23 rating points in Doha. Other notable movers in Open Rapid include Alexey Sarana (+19 points) and Hans Moke Niemann (+24), climbing to 34th and 50th, respectively. World Blitz finalist Nodirbek Abdusattorov reached the Open Blitz top 5 (+17 points), while Fabiano Caruana (+18 points), who reached the knockout stage, and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (+16 points), who narrowly missed it due to tiebreaks, both entered the top 10. Photo: Lennart Ootes Additional rapid overperformers in Doha include Nihal Sarin (+24), Jorden van Foreest (+31), Lu Shanglei (+31), Teimour Radjabov (+30), Javokhir Sindarov (+30), Rauf Mamedov (+35), Narayanan S L (+24), and Denis Lazavik (+24). Women’s Rapid Champion Aleksandra Goryachkina collected 7 points in Doha to move to second on the list, closing the gap on No. 1 Hou Yifan, who dropped a few points in the Global Chess League. Women’s Rapid runner-up Zhu Jiner leapt into the Women’s Rapid top 10. Photo: Lennart Ootes Among the top Women’s Rapid gainers were Nino Batsiashvili (+50), Vaishali R (+32), Polina Shuvalova (+22), Meri Arabidze (+28), and Bat-Erdene Mungunzul (+46). The most impressive rise came from young FM Chen Yining of China (pictured below), who earned a staggering 186 points in Doha and catapulted straight into the top 50 Rapid Women. Photo: Lennart Ootes Savitha Shri B also shone in the rapid event, gaining +79 points to reach No. 53 in Women’s Rapid. In Blitz, Women’s World Blitz Champion Bibisara Assaubayeva entered the top 3, while Eline Roebers (+36), who reached the knockout stage, made her top 10 debut. Two other youngsters, Zarina Nurgaliyeva (pictured below) and Anna Shukhman, made a splash. Zarina scored 9/15 for +144 points and broke into the Women’s Blitz top 30; Anna scored 10/15 for +105 points and rocketed to 53rd. Photo: Anna Shtournan Other notable blitz overperformers include Diana Wagner (+40), Carissa Yip (+34), Umida Omonova (+68), Teodora Injac (+21), Elvira Berend (+29), and Irina Bulmaga (+32). Finally, several women entered the Blitz top 100 thanks to strong Doha performances: Nataliya Buksa (+20), Jiang Tianyu (+113), Yana Zhapova (+123), Gulnar Mammadova (+74), Bozhena Piddubna (+92), Elnaz Kaliakhmet (+114), Marta García Martín (+28), and 11-year-old Charvi A (+187).
Magnus Carlsen and Bibisara Assaubayeva win World Blitz crowns
Magnus Carlsen defeated Nodirbek Abdusattorov in the knockout finals 2.5-1.5 to clinch his ninth title in the World Blitz. In the Women’s competition, with the same score, Bibisara Assaubayeva won over Anna Muzychuk to claim her third World Blitz title and qualify for the 2026 Candidates. The 2025 World Blitz Championships concluded in Doha with two familiar World Champions in this discipline. Second place in the Open Blitz went to Nodirbek Abdusattorov, while Arjun Erigaisi and Fabiano Caruana share the bronze. In the Women’s Blitz, Anna Muzychuk took silver, while the bronze went jointly to Zhu Jiner and Eline Roebers. In both the Open and Women’s competitions, the top four players from the first advanced to knockouts consisting of semifinals and finals, each a four-game match. The first stage was a Swiss-system tournament with 19 rounds in the Open and 15 in the Women’s event. Open Blitz The first day of the Open finished with Arjun Erigaisi, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, and Fabiano Caruana sharing the lead after 13 rounds. Six more rounds on Day 2 would determine the final four players advancing to the knockout stage. The day started with a sensational ending of the game between Armenia’s Haik Martirosyan and Magnus Carlsen. In a tense position, with both players in severe time trouble, the Norwegian lost his composure and accidentally knocked off most pieces on the board with just two seconds left on his clock. As Magnus scrambled to reset them, he also pressed the clock (gaining two more seconds) before all the pieces were placed correctly, which was illegal. The arbiters were called in, and the incident – already visible on camera – was reviewed. Sector arbiter Chris Bird consulted with the players and explained the rules applicable in this situation. According to the regulations – which were presented to the players in the Technical Meeting ahead of each tournament – if a player brings the game into disrepute “with the intention of preventing their time expiring, the player should expect to be penalised by losing the game.” After hearing to the explanation, Carlsen accepted the decision and shook Martirosyan’s hand. This was a serious setback for the Norwegian – his second time in the tournament he dropped a piece in time trouble and ended up losing. Despite the incident, Carlsen kept his composure and rebounded in the following rounds. As the final rounds neared, several top players withdrew, concluding they had no chance of reaching prizes or top places. Among those who left early were Hans Niemann, José Eduardo Martínez Alcántara, Aleksandr Shimanov, and Maksim Chigaev. Caruana entered the final round on 13 points, sharing second with Carlsen, who had won four straight games after his loss to Martirosyan—including a crucial victory over Vachier-Lagrave (MVL) as Black in the penultimate round. Vachier-Lagrave, who had been in the top three for much of the event, slipped to a group on 12.5 points, sharing fourth. With first place and the top knockout spot decided, the final round determined the remaining three qualifiers. Erigaisi drew, while Caruana defeated Hakobyan with Black to claim clear second with 14/19. Carlsen split the point with Abdusattorov to finish on 13.5/19, enough for sole third. Six players finished tied for fourth with 13/19, including Nihal Sarin, Wesley So, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. Based on tiebreaks, Abdusattorov emerged on top of the group, clinching the final spot in the knockouts. The final standings in the Swiss-tournament phase of the World Blitz Open are available [HERE]. Women’s Blitz Day-one leader Eline Roebers continued dominating in Rounds 11 and 12 but lost in Round 13 to Bibisara Assaubayeva, who took sole lead. Playing the Sicilian, Assaubayeva seized the initiative early and won comfortably, reaching 10.5/13. Assaubayeva’s stay at the top was short-lived. In round 14 she overlooked a piece in time trouble and lost to the two-time women’s world blitz champion Valentina Gunina. With one round left to play, Gunina topped the standings with 11 points out of 14, half a point ahead of Assaubayeva. Six players shared third place, including Anna Muzychuk, who had climbed steadily with two wins and two draws on Day 2. In the final round, Gunina and Muzychuk faced each other in an Italian Game. Gunina seized the initiative and reached a dominant position with an extra piece, but time became her enemy. With seconds on her clock, she overlooked a deadly check from Muzychuk that turned the game around. Gunina fought bravely but eventually capitulated. When the dust settled, five players finished tied at the top on 11/15: Bibisara Assaubayeva, Anna Muzychuk, Eline Roebers, Zhu Jiner, and Valentina Gunina. With only the top four advancing to the knockout stage, Gunina was the unfortunate player to miss out – a disappointing end to an otherwise strong tournament. The final standings in the Swiss-tournament phase of the World Blitz Open are available [HERE]. Knockout drama In the semi-final matches in the Open, Uzbekistan’s top player, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, defeated India’s Arjun Erigaisi 2.5–0.5. Abdusattorov won both of the first two games. In game three, playing as White, Erigaisi managed only a draw, eliminating the need for the fourth game. In the other semi-final in the Open, it was a duel of two old foes: Magnus Carlsen and Fabiano Caruana. After two hard-fought draws, in game three Carlsen managed to swing the game as Black and win. In the fourth game, Caruana did not manage to achieve more than equality, and the score was 2.5–1.5 for Carlsen. The final was a nail-biter. Abdusattorov won the first game as Black with superior endgame precision, announcing a potential upset. In the second game, Carlsen struck back with the black pieces, grinding out a win in a dead-equal endgame. Following a draw in game three, everything depended on the final, fourth game. Carlsen prevailed in a tense battle and sealed his ninth World Blitz crown. “This was a very tough event for me. It could have gone either way. But when we got to the knockouts, I
World Blitz in Doha: Tight race in Open as Eline Roebers leads Women’s event
After 13 rounds, Arjun Erigaisi, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, and Fabiano Caruana share the lead in the Open section of the FIDE World Blitz Championship with 10 points each. In the Women’s Blitz, the Netherlands’ Eline Roebers emerged as the sole leader with 8.5/10. The 2025 FIDE World Blitz Chess Championships started in Doha on Monday, December 29. Day one featured 13 rounds in the Open and ten in the Women’s competition. A trio of players tops the Open standings. Arjun Erigaisi, who moved into first place in Round 11, has enjoyed a stellar run, including a dramatic win over Magnus Carlsen when the Norwegian’s piece flew off the board and his time expired. Erigaisi’s only defeat came at the hands of Jorden van Foreest. Maxime Vachier-Lagrave recovered from an early setback in Round 2 to join the leaders by Round 12. Finally, Fabiano Caruana surged to the top with a strong finish, including a lucky victory over Carlsen, who blundered a rook. The leaders are chased by six players on 9.5 points. The co-champions from 2024, Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi, sit on 9/13. In the Women’s event, Eline Roebers defeated Aleksandra Goryachkina in Round 9 to tie for the lead, then outplayed Argentina’s Candela Francisco Guecamburu with Black in Round 10, securing the sole lead. Goryachkina, Umida Omonova (the sole leader after Round 6), and former Women’s World Champion Antoaneta Stefanova trail by half a point with 8/10. The Open Blitz The first sole leader in the Open emerged after Round 6 – Jorden van Foreest was the only player with a 100% score. The 26-year-old Dutchman, who won the Dutch championship this year, defeated the likes of Firouzja and Erigaisi. In Round 7, van Foreest fell to Nodirbek Abdusattorov, who briefly joined a six-way tie for the lead at 6/7. Things didn’t go well for the Dutchman after that, and he finished the day on 8/13. By the end of Round 10, Arjun Erigaisi stood alone at the top with 8.5/10, having drawn only once (with Firouzja) and lost once (to van Foreest). Entering the final round of the day, three players were tied at 9.5/12: Erigaisi, Vachier-Lagrave, and Caruana (who joined the lead by beating Carlsen). All three drew their final games: MVL with Caruana and Erigaisi with Daniil Dubov. With other games on top boards ending in draws, the trio remains at the top after day one. Magnus Carlsen finished on 9/13. He suffered two big setbacks – losing to Erigaisi on time and overlooking a rook against Fabiano Caruana. Magnus also drew four games – with Javokhir Sindarov, Oleksandr Bortnyk, Jorden van Foreest, and Alexander Grischuk. With six rounds remaining, Carlsen will need to sharpen his game if he wants to reach the top four. Top 10 after Day 1 – Blitz Open The Blitz drama: When pieces fly off the board The moment that captured the full drama of the World Blitz event happened in Round 9. Magnus Carlsen was fighting a tense endgame with India’s top player, Arjun Erigaisi. The Indian had nine seconds on his clock while Carlsen was down to three. Just as Carlsen was about to make a queen move, his queen slipped off his hand and flew off the table. Alexander Grischuk, who happened to be passing by at that moment, jumped and tried to move out of the way quickly. By the time Carlsen picked up his queen and put it back on the board, his time had already run out. The Norwegian couldn’t hide his anger, slamming his fist on the table. The Women’s Blitz As in the Open, the first sole leader in the Women’s Blitz emerged after Round 6. Uzbekistan’s Umida Omonova defeated a whole field of strong players, including Koneru, Danielian, Lagno, and Yip, to reach the top. In Round 7, Omonova lost to Aleksandra Goryachkina, who took the lead and held it for the next three rounds (despite losing as Black to Eline Roebers in round nine). In the final round of the day, Goryachkina drew as White on board one with former Women’s World Champion Antoaneta Stefanova, putting them both on eight points. Meanwhile, on board two, Eline Roebers defeated Candela Francisco Guecamburu with the black pieces. With 8.5/10, Roebers ended the day as the sole leader. Behind her are Goryachkina, Omonova, and Stefanova, all on eight points. The defending Women’s World Champion in the Blitz Ju Wenjun finished the day on 5.5 points, just above 50%. With five more rounds to go in the Women’s Blitz, Ju has almost no chance of reaching the knockouts. Top 10 after Day 1 – Blitz Women From knockouts to “sudden death” games: The rules of the Blitz format The World Blitz Championships are made up of two stages. The first is a large Swiss tournament (19 rounds in the Open, 15 in the Women’s event). The top four players then advance to the knockout stage, which consists of four-game matches. The knockout format in the Blitz was first introduced in the 2024 event, when it featured eight players. The change from last year is that the number of players who qualify for the knockouts is four instead of eight. If the score is even after four blitz games, one sudden death game shall be played to determine the winner of the match. In the previous edition in New York, Ju Wenjun won the Blitz crown. In the Open, the title was shared jointly by Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi after the two ended up in a series of hard-fought draws. The two-day event features 150 players in the Open and 140 in the Women’s competition, fighting for the prize fund worth just over half a million euros (nearly 600,000 USD). With the time control of three minutes plus a two-second increment per move, starting from move one, this tournament is traditionally the sharpest and most electrifying chess event of the year, with surprises and setbacks in almost every round. The standings after Day 1
Tsephe Lebajoa and Boitumelo Sethabathaba crowned champions at 2025 Lesotho Championship
CM Tsephe Lebajoa, the reigning Lesotho Junior Male Sports Person of the Year, concluded a remarkable season by winning the Open title at the 2025 National Chess Championship. He secured victory with a round to spare after a commanding and consistent performance. This win crowns an outstanding year for the young star, marking his fifth major title in 2025 and cementing his status as one of the nation’s leading players. Lebajoa was in scintillating form throughout the championship, recording impressive victories against several top contenders, including former national champion Lihleola Motlomelo, third seed Karabo Mokete, and fourth-ranked George Mohamed. His only loss came in the final round against Khama Letsatsi, after the title was already decided. Alongside the national crown, Lebajoa earned a M5,500 first prize. Katleho Phakisi claimed silver after producing one of the tournament’s standout performances. Entering as the 24th seed and missing the opening round, Phakisi exceeded expectations with a superb run that echoed the promise he showed as a 15-year-old two years ago. His strong performance resulted in a gain of over 100 rating points, signaling a major return to form. Third place went to Khama Letsatsi, who rose to the occasion in the final round with a composed and disciplined victory over the champion. The Best Junior Award was claimed by Tumelo Putsoa, who continued his impressive run following his recent national junior title. Putsoa defeated several higher-rated opponents, reaffirming his status as one of Lesotho’s brightest prospects. He finished level on points with Batloung Lesela, one of the country’s top performers. Honours for Best Female Player were awarded to Boitumelo Sethabathaba, who delivered a strong and determined performance in a highly competitive field. Bonolo Ntsielo secured the prize for Second Best Female Player, highlighting the growing depth of women’s chess in Lesotho. The 2025 edition was the largest National Chess Championship to date, attracting a record 62 players, including 12 under-16 competitors and 10 women. The event was further enhanced by an increased prize fund, with the champion receiving double the amount awarded to the previous winner – reflecting the growing stature and ambition of the championship. Complete final standings The organizers extend their sincere appreciation to all players, coaches, parents, and officials for their support and contribution, and look forward to welcoming the chess community again at the next edition.
Carlsen and Goryachkina take World Rapid titles in Doha
Magnus Carlsen claimed his sixth World Rapid Championship title with a score of 10.5/13, finishing a full point ahead of the field. The women’s crown went to Aleksandra Goryachkina, who defeated Zhu Jiner in a blitz playoff. The 2025 FIDE World Rapid concluded in Doha on Sunday evening with new World Champions in both the Open and the Women’s competitions. After a stumble on day two, Magnus Carlsen came back on the final day of the rapid in full force, scoring three consecutive victories – against Sarana, Niemann and Erdogmus. The Norwegian entered the final round with a one-point lead over Vladislav Artemiev and Hans Niemann. Facing Anish Giri as White, he quickly drew, which was enough for Carlsen to claim his sixth crown in the World Rapid (2014, 2015, 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2025). “It was a big field with a lot of strong players. The serious advantage that I have is that I play for first place when I’m appearing here, while most other players are thinking about getting a good prize and maybe a medal. That gives me a huge psychological advantage,” said Carlsen after his victory. When asked to compare this Rapid crown to the previous five, Carlsen remarked: “What stands out is that I managed to beat everyone who is not a top player, something I’m very happy with. Overall, except for the start on day two, which was horrendous, everything else was really good for me here.” The second place in the World Rapid was shared by four players, all on 9.5 points: Vladislav Artemiev, Arjun Erigaisi, Hans Niemann, and Leinier Dominguez Perez. Artemiev – the only player to defeat Carlsen in the event – took silver, while Arjun Erigaisi claimed bronze. Hans Niemann missed out on a medal by 0.5 Buchholz points (a tie-breaking system in chess that ranks players based on the sum of points of all of their opponents in the tournament). In the Women’s Rapid, three players were tied for the lead before the final round: Zhu Jiner, Aleksandra Goryachkina, and defending champion Humpy Koneru, all on 8/10 points. In Round 11, both Zhu and Goryachkina drew their games. Koneru, the only leader with a chance to take sole first place, had a completely winning endgame against compatriot Shri B. Savitha but misplayed in time trouble, allowing Savitha to escape with a draw. According to the regulations, in case of a tie for first place, only the top two players (based on tiebreaks) went to the playoff finals. To Koneru’s misfortune, she wasn’t one of them. Instead, Goryachkina and Zhu contested two blitz games. Goryachkina quickly won the first and drew the second to secure the title. This is the first World Rapid crown for Goryachkina, who was the World Champion challenger in 2020 in classical time control. Zhu Jiner, who led for most of the tournament, finished in second place. After winning gold in New York in 2024, Humpy Koneru takes home the bronze medal from Doha. The action continues on Monday, December 29, with the start of the two-day World Blitz Championship in both the Open and Women’s categories. Written by Milan Dinic Photos: Anna Shtourman and Lennart Ootes Where to follow: The action can be followed live on the FIDE YouTube Channel, featuring expert commentary by GMs Maurice Ashley, Peter Leko and IM Jovanka Houska. About the event: The FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships 2025 are taking place in Doha, Qatar from 25 to 30 December, bringing together the world’s elite chess talent for a thrilling end-of-year showdown. Held at the Sports and Events Complex, Qatar University, this edition features both Open and Women’s events in Rapid and Blitz formats, with a total prize fund of over €1,000,000. Doha returns as host after nine years, underscoring Qatar’s growing stature in the chess world. Official website: worldrapidandblitz2025.fide.com/
FIDE World Rapid, Day 2: Drama in Doha as Carlsen stumbles
After two days of FIDE World Rapid in Doha, Vladislav Artemiev and Hans Niemann share the lead in the Open on 7.5/9. In the Women’s Rapid, Zhu Jiner maintained her position at the top, but is joined by defending champion Humpy Koneru, with both ending the day on 6.5/8. In the Open event, Magnus Carlsen – who had 4.5/5 on day one – was put on the back foot on day two, starting with a draw and a defeat. Instead, it was Vladislav Artemiev (who defeated Carlsen) and Hans Niemann who shone, ending the day as joint leaders. They are chased by four players half a point behind: Carlsen, Sarana, Erdogmus and Abdusattorov. Zhu Jiner continued strongly in the Women’s Rapid and is now level with Humpy Koneru, who scored 3.5 points in four games. Both are on 6.5/8. They are trailed by as many as ten players on 6/8. The Open Rapid The standout players of the day in the Open were Vladislav Artemiev and Hans Niemann. One of the co-leaders on day one, Artemiev was in great form on day two. He opened with a victory as Black against India’s Arjun Erigaisi, coming back from a lost position and playing much of the game on increment. After Round 6 he became the sole leader of the tournament, with a half-point advantage. In Round 7, Artemiev defeated Carlsen in a game where the world’s top-rated player made a grave mistake on move 15, which cost him dearly. This win put Artemiev on 6.5 points, a full point ahead of the field. Artemiev concluded the day with two calm draws with Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Alexey Sarana. “I am pleased with my performance, and everything is feeling good,” Artemiev told FIDE in a brief comment. Artemiev is joined at the top by Hans Niemann, who scored 3.5/4, conceding only a draw to compatriot Ray Robson. After a 4.5/5 on day one, Carlsen’s performance on day two slipped. In the first game of the day, in round six, he played the Sicilian against Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. Things didn’t go that well for Carlsen, who found himself with tripled pawns on the e-file and spent more time looking for the moves. After transitioning to a rook endgame where White had a 4-3 pawn advantage, it was clear that the best outcome for Carlsen was a draw. After testing Carlsen for a few moves, MVL agreed to split a point. Then came a huge upset for Carlsen in round seven. After surrendering on move 30, the Norwegian stormed out of the playing hall, visibly unhappy. Carlsen bounced back in Round 8, with a comfortable victory against Armenian GM Shant Sargsyan in the Italian Game. In Round 9, he faced US GM Ray Robson (who had held Hans Niemann to a draw in Round 7). Carlsen was better on time and managed to secure an extra pawn in the center. Robson resisted for a while, often having less than 10 seconds on his clock, but eventually capitulated in a hopeless position. With two straight victories, Carlsen joined the group of four players on seven points. It includes Abdusattorov, Sarana, and 2446-rated prodigy from Türkiye Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus. The 14-year-old teenager netted 3.5/4 today, defeating the likes of Joren Van Foreest and Nihal Sarin in the last two rounds. World Champion in classical chess, Gukesh D, had an uneven performance on day two. Starting with two draws, in Round 8 he prevailed over Spain’s David Anton in a topsy-turvy game. However, in the following round he was completely dismantled by Nodirbek Abdusattorov in the King’s Indian Attack. With this defeat, Gukesh finished on 6.5 points. Defending Rapid Champion Volodar Murzin improved his performance, but only somewhat. After three defeats and two victories on day one, Murzin made a draw and two victories in Rounds 6, 7, and 8. However, in the last round of the day, he fell as White to Vahap Sanal after trapping his queen. He is now at 50% with 4.5/9. Seasoned heavyweight Levon Aronian, who had a great performance this year, is also one of the top players struggling in Doha. After scoring 3/5 on day one, he began the second day with two defeats. Levon bounced back with two wins and is now on 5/9. Ian Nepomniachtchi started the day with a loss with the white pieces in the game against Maksim Chigaev. The two-time candidate for the title of World Champion in classical chess responded with two draws and a win, finishing the day on 6/9. The Women’s Rapid The women’s event remains extremely tight. While the Open section of the Rapid had five rounds on day one, the women’s section had four. By the end of Round 7, defending champion Humpy Koneru emerged as the sole leader on six points, followed by eight players on 5.5. She was on six points, followed by eight players on 5.5 points. Among the chasers was Aleksandra Goryachkina, who has been very consistent in the tournament so far. After starting the day with a game against Zhu Jiner, Goryachkina finished it with the round seven leader, Koneru. Playing against the Petrov, Goryachkina emerged clearly better from the opening but erroneously grabbed a pawn on move 24, giving the opponent sufficient counterplay. The game ended in a draw, which was enough to secure Humpy a shared first place. Day 1 leader Zhu Jiner drew her round-five game against Goryachkina in an even endgame. Two more draws followed – against top contenders Nino Batsiashvili and Mariya Muzychuk. In the final round of the day in the Women’s event Zhu was facing World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh. Following interesting complications in the middlegame, the opponents landed in an unbalanced but roughly equal position. However, Divya’s seemingly harmless move 30…e4 turned out to be a blunder costing her the game. With this victory, Zhu scored 6.5 points and joined Koneru in the lead. World Champion in classical chess, Ju Wenjun, suffered a major setback at the start