Archive · 25 Dec 2025
World Rapid and Blitz Championships Begin in Doha
The World Rapid and Blitz Championships are starting in Doha, Qatar.
Many top chess players from around the world, including some from India, will compete.
Koneru Humpy wants to keep her title, while D Gukesh hopes to end his year on a high note.
Magnus Carlsen, a very famous chess player, is the top seed.
The event has a lot of prize money, and players will compete in both rapid and blitz chess games.
India has many players in the tournament, showing how strong the country is in chess.
Magnus Carlsen also shared his predictions for the Candidates tournament, believing that Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura are the top favorites, with R Praggnanandhaa as the third favorite.
The FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships begin on December 24, 2025, in Doha, Qatar.
Koneru Humpy aims to defend her title, while D Gukesh seeks to end his underwhelming year on a high note.
Top players like Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, and Ian Nepomniachtchi will compete in the Open section.
India has a record 29 players in the Open section and 13 in the Women's section.
Magnus Carlsen predicts Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura as top favorites for the Candidates tournament, with R Praggnanandhaa as the third favorite.
- Who
- Top chess players including Magnus Carlsen, D Gukesh, Koneru Humpy, R Praggnanandhaa, Fabiano Caruana, Hikaru Nakamura, and other international and Indian grandmasters
- What
- FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships and Candidates tournament predictions
- When
- Starting December 24, 2025
- Where
- Doha, Qatar
- Why
- To compete for titles and prize money in rapid and blitz chess formats, and to discuss predictions for the Candidates tournament
Magnus Carlsen's Predictions
Other Viewpoints
Candidates Tournament Favorites
Magnus Carlsen's Predictions
Magnus Carlsen believes Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura are the top favorites to win the Candidates tournament, with R Praggnanandhaa as the third favorite.
Other Viewpoints
No opposing viewpoints provided in the articles.
- Event
- FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships
- Location
- Doha, Qatar
- Start Date
- December 24, 2025
- Top Seed (Open)
- Magnus Carlsen
- Prize Purse (Open)
- 70,000 Euros each for Rapid and Blitz
- Prize Purse (Women)
- 40,000 Euros each for Rapid and Blitz
- Indian Participants (Open)
- 29
- Indian Participants (Women)
- 13
- Candidates Tournament Favorites
- Fabiano Caruana, Hikaru Nakamura, R Praggnanandhaa
Sources
World Rapid and Blitz Championships: Koneru Humpy Eyes Title Defence, Gukesh Looks For Year-End Respite
How long will Magnus Carlsen continue to reign as world No 1? Ex-Candidates winner says it will depend on this factor
Magnus Carlsen ranks Praggnanandhaa as 3rd favourite to win Candidates tournament
New Queen Rises! Divya Deshmukh Dazzles In 2025
FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships 2025 live streaming: Schedule, venue, format, prize money, where to watch
