FIDE World Rapid 2025: Magnus Carlsen and Zhu Jiner set early pace on day one in Doha
Norwegian Magnus Carlsen leads a group of five players on 4.5 points after five rounds in the open section of the FIDE World Rapid. China’s Zhu Jiner is the sole leader in the women’s section – the only player to achieve a perfect 4/4. The 2025 edition of the FIDE World Rapid kicked off at the Sports and Events Complex of Qatar University. With several hundred spectators in attendance, the tournament’s atmosphere was focused and professional as the year’s final world championship moved from ceremony to competition. The Open Rapid After five rounds on day one, five players share the lead in the Rapid: Magnus Carlsen, Arjun Erigaisi, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Vladislav Artemiev and the reigning World Champion in classical chess, Gukesh D. At the opening press conference on Thursday (December 25), Carlsen said that he had come to Doha to win. He backed up those words with four convincing victories in the first four rounds. But in round five he was facing Arjun Erigaisi – one of the leading players of the new generation. In the Queen’s Gambit Declined, the two went for a line which quickly transitioned into an equal queen and rook endgame. Famous for his excellent technique and ability to “squeeze water from a stone”, Carlsen pushed hard. They eventually reached a rook ending where Carlsen had two extra “f” and “h” pawns. This theoretically drawn position requires precision from the weaker side which Erigaisi demonstrated, denying Carlsen the perfect score on day one. After a turbulent performance at the Global Chess League in Mumbai, the World Champion Gukesh D had a great run on day one in Doha. Starting with a draw in round one, he went on to score four victories to join the leaders. Defending World Rapid Champion Volodar Murzin had a difficult opening day and finishing on just two points. He suffered his first setback as early as round two at the hands of his compatriot Rudik Makarian. He went on to lose two more games before making a comeback in round five. With 2/5, his chances of retaining the crown won in New York in 2024 appear slim. Another slow starter in the World Rapid is Praggnanandhaa. The elite world player won his first-round game, but then made two draws. In round four, he suffered a loss as Black to more than 150 points lower-rated Levan Pantsulaia, ending the day on a disappointing note. Vasyl Ivanchuk – who won the World Rapid in Doha in 2016 – is also on three points, drawing four games after his first-round victory. The Women’s Rapid Zhu Jiner holds the sole lead in the Women’s Rapid section after winning all four of her games today. The Chinese GM dominated from the outset, securing strong positions in every encounter – including against seasoned opponents such as Armenian Grandmaster Elina Danielian and Georgia’s Nana Dzagnidze. In Round 5, she will face Aleksandra Goryachkina, the former Women’s World Championship challenger. https://youtu.be/vyPsqAnQV38 As many as seven players are trailing Zhu by half a point. Leading the chase is Nino Batsiashvili, who also performed strongly in the recently concluded Tech Mahindra Global Chess League. Joining her are two former Women’s World Champions Mariya Muzychuk and Antoaneta Stefanova, former women’s challenger Aleksandra Goryachkina, India’s Harika Dronavalli, Song Yuxin (who stunned the field with her run at the Women’s Grand Swiss in Samarkand) and Sara Khadem. Former Women’s World Champion Tan Zhongyi was one of the biggest tragic figures of the day. In round three, she had a completely wining position against none other than the winner of the Women’s Grand Swiss, Vaishali Rameshbabu. However, in time trouble, Tan blundered overlooking a back-rank checkmate – a rare oversight at this level. With victories in all three other games, it is fair to say that Tan deserved to be in the lead; but in rapid chess, luck and misfortune are also big factors. Defending Women’s Rapid Champion Humpy Koneru also sits on 3 points, with two wins and two draws. Meanwhile, the reigning Women’s World Champion in classical chess, Ju Wenjun, ended the day on 3 points as well. In Round 1, she was held to a surprising draw by Azerbaijan’s Govhar Beydullayeva, rated over 300 points lower. Playing White, Beydullayeva seized the initiative early and maintained an edge for most of the game. Ju escaped only by sacrificing material to reach a technical draw – a bare king versus a pawn and a bishop and of the “wrong color”. After winning in Round 2, Ju suffered another minor setback in Round 3, missing a clear chance to win material as Black against Umida Omonova, settling for another draw. The action can be followed live on the FIDE YouTube Channel, featuring expert commentary by GMs Maurice Ashley, Peter Leko and IM Jovanka Houska. Written by Milan Dinic Photos: Anna Shtourman and Lennart Ootes About FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships 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/
WRB starts in Doha – the pearl of the chess world
The 2025 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships were officially opened in Doha, marking the start of one of the most watched chess events globally. As players and guests gathered in the playing arena at the Sports and Events Complex of Qatar University, the ceremony opened with a performance by the traditional Qatari music group Farkah. Dressed in national clothing and accompanied by drums, the ensemble performed “Today is the happiest day”, a song traditionally associated with the beginning of celebrations. The formal part of the ceremony began with the intonation of anthems of Qatar and FIDE, followed by an artistic performance symbolizing the battle of black and white pieces on the chessboard. The president of the Qatar Chess Federation Mohammed Al Mudahka – the country’s first Grandmaster – greeted the guests and wish them a warm and pleasant experience in the country which proudly calls itself “the global capital of sport.” FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich reminded that Doha was a successful host of the World Rapid and Blitz Championships in 2016, noting that FIDE was proud to return “to a country which supports chess,” pointing to events such as the Qatar Masters. He added that “chess has a home in Qatar,” and linked the message to the country’s heritage with the line that Qatar is “the pearl of the chess world.” Dvorkovich thanked the hosts, the Qatari Chess Federation and its president Mohammed Al Mudahka, for welcoming the chess community “with warmth and open arms”. Turning to the players, Dvorkovich said the World Rapid and Blitz “traditionally marks an exciting end to the year,” and that this edition should be no different. “I wish the players the best of luck, fair play, good games and great experiences here in Doha,” he said. “May the best player win and may the spirit of chess flourish.” The ceremonial opening concluded with Dvorkovich and Al Mudahka making symbolic first moves on a chessboard, before moving to the top-boards in the Open and the Women’s section. The first event to take place is the World Rapid Championship, with 300 players from all over the world are taking part. The World Rapid consists of 13 rounds in the Open and 11 in the Women’s event, with five and four rounds taking place on day one, respectively. The action can be followed live on the FIDE YouTube Channel, featuring expert commentary by GMs Maurice Ashley, Peter Leko and IM Jovanka Houska. Written by Milan Dinic Photos: Anna Shtourman and Lennart Ootes Official website: worldrapidandblitz2025.fide.com/
Opening press conference sets the stage for 2025 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships
The official opening press conference of the 2025 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships was held on 25 December at the Rosewood Hotel in Doha, marking the formal start of one of the most closely followed events on the international chess calendar. The championships bring together the world’s leading players to compete for four world titles across rapid and blitz in both the Open and Women’s sections. The event will take place in Doha from December 26 to 30, and features a total prize fund of more than €1,000,000 across the Open and Women’s competitions. The Open Rapid Championship includes 251 players, while the Open Blitz Championship features 254 players. The Women’s events bring together a field of 142 players. The line-up includes reigning world champions, elite speed chess specialists, and leading contenders representing federations from around the world. The press conference opened with remarks from Arkady Dvorkovich, President of FIDE, who welcomed players and guests to Doha and thanked the hosts and partners for staging the event. “We are very pleased to be here in Doha, Qatar, just one day before the opening of the World Rapid and Blitz Championships,” he said. Praising the host city, he described Qatar as “a beautiful place with a rich and successful chess history” and noted that players “really love this place, which is why they have all come here to show their best qualities.” Placing the championships in the wider sporting context, Dvorkovich highlighted the strength of the season leading into Doha. “We are coming back from a few important events, including the World Cup and the Mahindra Global Chess League,” he said, adding that many of the same players are now competing for world titles. Looking ahead, he emphasised the growing role of fast chess, noting that “we expect a real fight and a lot of fun for spectators,” and that “looking ahead to the coming years, we will see more and more faster formats in chess.” He was followed by Mohammed Al-Mudahka, President of Qatar Chess, who welcomed the speakers, players, and media and highlighted the scale of the championships. “This championship has set a world record for participation,” he said. “We have almost 300 players competing across all formats.” Addressing the media, he added that the event offers “a very special opportunity to meet three reigning world champions” and concluded by noting that the tournament is “just one day away from what promises to be the very best World Rapid and Blitz Championship.” Attention then turned to the players, with reigning World Champion Gukesh D. sharing his thoughts ahead of the rapid and blitz competitions. Reflecting on his approach to the event, he said: “Playing well in any format is quite important, but in general, rapid and blitz have been slightly less of a priority for me than classical events.” He added that this allows him to approach the championships with freedom, explaining, “I am here to play, to experiment, to enjoy myself, and simply to play chess with the aim of learning and gaining experience.” Reigning Women’s World Champion and Women’s Blitz Champion Ju Wenjun also addressed the media, speaking about competing across formats. “There are three different formats in chess, and all of them are quite difficult to win,” she said, adding that “for me, rapid and blitz are more fun and more exciting.” Looking ahead to the event, she noted, “I am really looking forward to the tournament, and I hope I can play some very nice games.” Former World Champion Magnus Carlsen returns to Doha as the reigning co-Blitz Champion and attended the press conference alongside his family. Asked about becoming a father, Carlsen said, “I love being a husband and a father. It has been a fantastic experience this year.” He added with a smile that “neither my wife nor my son are too much of a help when it comes to chess advice yet,” before underlining his competitive focus: “I am here to win, as always. That does not change.” When questioned about his motivation for the event, Carlsen stated that he is competing to win, while also noting with a smile that there are expectations in Norway for him to provide good holiday entertainment. Overall, the players appeared in positive spirits heading into the championships. The press conference concluded with the traditional drawing of lots, conducted by Chief Arbiter Nebojsa Baralic, to determine the colours for the top-seeded players in both championships. The colours drawn will apply to the top board (board 1) and all odd-numbered boards in both the Rapid and Blitz Championships. As the top seed in the Open section, Magnus Carlsen drew the white pieces for the Rapid Championship and the black pieces for the Blitz, while Ju Wenjun drew the black pieces for the Rapid and the white pieces for the Blitz. The first games of the 2025 FIDE World Rapid Championship will be played on 26 December at the Sports and Events Complex at Qatar University, with both the Open and Women’s sections competing in the same playing hall. Spectators wishing to attend the event in person can purchase tickets via the official ticketing platform. The action can be followed live on the FIDE YouTube Channel, featuring expert commentary by GM Maurice Ashley, Peter Leko and IM Jovanka Houska. Written by Charlize van Zyl Photos: Lennart Ootes
Season’s greetings from FIDE President
Dear chess friends, As the year ends, I want to thank you for a remarkable 2025. The chess calendar was packed. From the Women’s Grand Prix series to the World Cup and the Grand Swiss to the Global Chess League, we saw our sport grow in every region. This success does not happen by magic. It happens because of you. Behind each of these events were people who worked hard to make them happen: the organisers, federation officials, arbiters, coaches, players, cohorts of volunteers and the members of the FIDE team. I am grateful for their trust, energy and support for chess and am confident that we are building a strong base for the growth our sport is experiencing. We also made progress off the board. We focused on inclusivity and education, and we held the Smart Moves Summit in Washington, where we joined together the worlds of chess and education. We strengthened our financial stability and increased support for players and federations. We secured new partners and projects, from India to Norway and around the world, who see the value in what we do. The coming year will bring more excitement – from the launch of the Total Chess Championship with Norway Chess, to the Candidates, world championship matches and the Olympiad – it will be another significant year for chess. I look forward to these and other projects, as we continue to spread chess around the world. Chess has always been and will continue to be a bridge between nations and cultures, uniting people regardless of differences. This is who we are – a global chess family that works together on sharing the beauty of our sport and on discovering new talents and future champions. I wish you and your close ones all the best in 2026. Best regards, Arkady Dvorkovich
2025 FIDE Online General Assembly: List of Decisions
FIDE publishes the decisions of FIDE Online General Assembly held on December 14, 2025. FIDE General Assembly, 14 December 2025 – List of Decisions (PDF)
2025 4th FIDE Council Meeting: List of decisions
4th FIDE Council meeting December 11, 2025 Online List of decisions 4th FIDE Council Meeting, 11 December 2025 – List of Decisions (PDF)
Alpine SG Pipers defeat Triveni Continental Kings to emerge as new Tech Mahindra GCL Champions
In a dramatic final day in Mumbai, Alpine SG Pipers defeated defending champions Triveni Continental Kings in both rapid matches, with 4–2 and 4.5–1.5. In the match for third place, PBG Alaskan Knights emerged as winners, defeating Ganges Grandmasters in both blitz tiebreak matches following a 1–1 result in the rapid matches. The curtain came down on Season 3 of the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League, with players and teams fighting for their share of a one million dollar prize fund. After nine days of matches and festivities in Mumbai – this was the final act. The sunny weather and warm coastal breeze outside were in contrast with the tension on the podium inside the Royal Opera House. The first matchup of the day saw the team of PBG Alaskan Knights take on Ganges Grandmasters in the clash for third place. Ganges won the first rapid match, but then PBG struck back in the second. In the blitz tiebreak, Kateryna Lagno defeated Polina Shuvalova in both games, and Gukesh prevailed over Anand in the second game, clinching third place for PBG. The team that started Season 3 with four defeats, resurrected itself to third place in a stunning turn of fortune. The final saw Alpine SG Pipers beat defending champions Triveni Continental Kings in both rapid matches. The first match ended 4–2. In the second, where Triveni played with the white pieces, there was even more drama and tension. Despite an objection from Alireza Firouzja on the Icon board, who could not believe he had lost on time in a winning position against Fabiano Caruana, the result was crushing for Triveni – 4.5–1.5. Still, the champions conceded defeat with grace. After two seasons dominated by Triveni, who were again the favourites, the team of Alpine SG Pipers emerged as the new Champions of the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League. Greeted by applause from the audience, Fabiano Caruana – Alpine SG’s Icon player – lifted the Tech Mahindra GCL Trophy – announcing the new champions of the League. The victors then emerged on the balcony of the Royal Opera House in Mumbai, to be greeted by cheers of fans, who came to witness a new chapter in chess history forged in India, by Indians. In the closing ceremony, the Chairman of the Mahindra Group – Anand Mahindra – announced that the fourth season of the Tech Mahindra Global Chess League will run from September 2-13, 2026, with the location to be announced at a later stage. A resurrection for PBG PBG came back into season three from the edge of the abyss. From four consecutive losses at the start, they managed to climb back to the middle of the scoreboard and inch their way into the final stage. For the team of Ganges Grandmasters, the round-robin stage of the tournament was a mix of highs and lows. Their standout performer throughout the tournament was Javokhir Sinarov, the rising Uzbek star who recently won one of the toughest chess tournaments on the planet – the World Cup in Goa. Arjun Erigaisi was the most consistent performer for PBG, but it was their Icon board player Gukesh – the reigning world champion – who, despite having a tough tournament, delivered the crucial win in the final round of all-play-all, sending his team to the final stage. In the round-robin part of the event, PBG and Ganges had a victory each. Ganges Grandmasters crushed PBG Alaskan Knights 12 – 3 in their first meeting, and PBG hit back in the return match, winning 9 – 7. Overall in Game Points, Ganges scored 19 against PBG’s 12. This time around, there were no Game Points. The rules of the finals In the final stage of the tournament, the games were scored in the same way as in other chess tournaments: a victory is a full point, a draw is half a point each. The final was played as the best of two matches. A drawing of lots decided which team has White in the first match, and colours are reversed in the second. If the teams are tied after these two matches, they play a blitz playoff, again best of two, with three minutes plus two seconds per move and the same colour pattern. If it is still drawn, one board from one to six is chosen by lot and those two players play a sudden-death blitz game. If that game is drawn, new boards and colours are selected in turn and sudden-death games are repeated until there is a winner. Third place decided after blitz tiebreaks Ganges had White in the first rapid match. As the teams took their places on the podium, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich was invited to make the ceremonial first move in the Indian clash between the former world champion Vishy Anand and the current holder of the crown, Gukesh D. For most of the match, all boards were locked in close positions. The first big break came on board one, where Anand gained the upper hand against Gukesh. The world champion got into time trouble and, in a drawn endgame, made a critical error. He soon had to resign, giving Ganges a 1–0 lead. Within minutes, with all players in time trouble, several more games finished. Jakokhir Sindarov defeated Leinier Dominguez, while Polina Shuvalova checkmated Kateryna Lagno’s king in the center of the board, increasing the lead to 3–0. PBG countered on board two as Arjun Erigaisi beat Vincent Keymer. On the second women’s board, Sara Khadem converted a winning position against Stavroula Tsolakidou, bringing PBG back to 3 – 2. The last remaining game was the prodigy duel between Raunak Sadhwani and Daniel Dardha. For most of the game they were locked in an equal position, but in time trouble Dardha blundered, allowing Sadhwani to take over and win. The first match finished 4–2 – a commanding victory for Ganges. Still, PBG were no strangers to poor starts and big comebacks. With the return match coming up,
Vladyslav Bakhmatskyi and Tetyana Skarbarchuk crowned Ukrainian Champions
IM Vladyslav Bakhmatskyi and Tetyana Skarbarchuk emerged as the winners of the 2025 Ukrainian Championship, each claiming their maiden national title. The championship was held in Lviv from December 15 to 22, 2025. Both the Open and Women’s tournaments, running simultaneously, followed a 9-round Swiss system with classical time controls. The Open event brought together 125 participants and featured a fierce battle for the title from start to finish. Andrii Trushko seized an early lead, but several players caught up with him in the following round. Defending champion Roman Dehtiarov took the lead after Round 6, only to face one of his closest rivals – IM Vladyslav Bakhmatskyi, the top seed – in Round 7. Bakhmatskyi scored a crucial victory, took the sole lead, and never relinquished it. Heading into the final round half a point ahead of four rivals, he drew with Trushko and secured the title with 7.5/9, as none of his closest pursuers managed to win their final games. Four players tied for second place with 7/9. Dehtiarov and Trushko earned silver and bronze, respectively, based on superior Buchholz tiebreak scores. Final Standings – Open The Women’s Championship, which attracted 31 players, followed a different script. Tetyana Skarbarchuk dominated the field, clinching the title with a round to spare, and finishing with an impressive 8.5/9. Lyudmyla Ivanytska secured the silver medal with 7/9, thanks to a crucial final-round victory over last year’s bronze medalist and top seed, Anastasia Hnatyshyn. The 2024 Women’s Champion, Yevgeniya Toroptseva, completed the podium with 6.5/9. Final Standings – Women Photos: Ukrainian Chess Federation Facebook Official website: ukrchess.org.ua/
Applications open for 2026 Freedom Asian Chess Initiatives (FACI)
The Kazakhstan Chess Federation is pleased to announce the opening of the application period for the Freedom Asian Chess Initiatives (FACI) 2026. FACI is an international project implemented by the Kazakhstan Chess Federation with the support of Freedom Holding Corp., in partnership with FIDE and the Asian Chess Federation (ACF). The Project aims to support the sustainable development of chess by strengthening national chess federations, developing chess education, and promoting international cooperation. In 2025, the FACI Project supported seven national chess federations: Oman, Cambodia, Nepal, Tajikistan, Sri Lanka, Jordan, and Pakistan. Participating countries achieved strong results, including prize-winning places at international tournaments. Selected countries also received grants to take part in the FIDE World Cadet Chess Championships in Almaty, providing young players the opportunity to compete at the highest level. A key focus of the FACI Project is the organization of training camps for national teams, conducted with the participation of Kazakhstan’s leading coaches. National chess federations interested in participating in FACI 2026 are invited to submit their applications via the official website: faci.kazchess.kz/. Deadline: January 12, 2026, 12:00 PM Astana time (UTC+5). All applications will be processed in accordance with the FACI Project Regulations. The results of the selection process will be announced in early February 2026. Federations that participated in 2025 are invited to submit a new application to be considered for support in 2026. Decisions will be made by the FACI Working Group and the President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation. Please carefully review the FACI Project Regulations posted on the official website: faci.kazchess.kz/ For more detailed information about the FACI Project, you can watch our video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMYLo4rCK24
2025 FIDE General Assembly and 4th FIDE Council Meeting: Key decisions
The fourth FIDE Council Meeting of 2025 and the 2025 FIDE General Assembly took place online on December 11 and December 14, respectively. These meetings addressed a range of significant topics, including membership matters, budget and audit issues, electoral rules, the FIDE calendar, and more. New Member Federations The FIDE General Assembly approved the admission of three new Member Federations: Guinea Chess Federation Marshall Islands Chess Federation Kiribati Chess Federation These federations are now officially part of FIDE, further expanding the global reach of the organization. Re-establishment of the FIDE Chess Oscar Award The FIDE Assembly approved the re-establishment of the FIDE Chess Oscar Award, which will be presented annually to recognize exceptional achievements in the world of chess. The awards will honor Best Male Chess Player of the Year, Best Female Chess Player of the Year, Best Tournament of the Year, Best Federation of the Year, and more. The reintroduction of this prestigious award reflects FIDE’s commitment to celebrating the outstanding contributions and achievements in the chess community. Decisions regarding the limitations on the Russian and Belarussian Chess federations The FIDE General Assembly approved two resolutions regarding this matter. For more details on this decision, see the official FIDE release: fide.com/fide-general-assembly-decisions-regarding-russia-and-belarus/ Threat to Mexican Chess Federation Membership The FIDE Council has placed the Mexican Chess Federation under serious scrutiny, warning that failure to meet debt repayment deadlines could result in its suspension from FIDE. Mexico’s membership is at risk after two previous deadlines (November 2024 and July 2025) were violated, despite the federation submitting letters of guarantee. The FIDE Council’s decision outlines that if the Mexican Chess Federation fails to meet any of the upcoming repayment deadlines — January 31, 2026, March 31, 2026, and May 31, 2026 — its membership will be automatically suspended. This would prevent Mexico from hosting FIDE tournaments and delegating teams to FIDE and CCA events. For further details, you can check out the full lists of decisions: 4th FIDE Council Meeting, 11 December 2025 – List of Decisions (PDF) FIDE General Assembly, 14 December 2025 – List of Decisions (PDF) FIDE General Assembly – Voting Report (PDF) Voting Responses – Grid View (PDF)