The FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships 2025 get under way in Doha on Friday, with Qatar hosting the prestigious global event until December 30. The tournament brings together the world’s leading chess players to contest four world titles in rapid and blitz formats across men’s and women’s categories.
A total of 251 players will compete in the men’s rapid championship, while 254 have entered the men’s blitz event. The women’s competition features 142 players, including reigning world champions and top-ranked specialists in fast-paced chess. Following the opening ceremony, play will begin on Friday afternoon, with the blitz competition opening the championships.
The star-studded field is led by reigning classical world champion Gukesh Dommaraju of India, world number one Magnus Carlsen of Norway, and Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi, the defending world blitz champion. Other notable contenders include Fabiano Caruana, Anish Giri, Wesley So, Levon Aronian and Alexander Grischuk. The event also showcases emerging talents such as 15-year-old Russian grandmaster Ivan Zemlyanskii and 14-year-old Turkish prodigy Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus.
