Archive · 28 Dec 2025
Carlsen, Erigaisi, Gukesh lead Rapid Championships
The 2025 FIDE World Rapid Championships started in Doha, Qatar.
Magnus Carlsen, Arjun Erigaisi, and D Gukesh are leading after the first five rounds.
Carlsen won four games but was held to a draw by Erigaisi.
Gukesh had a great run after a slow start.
In the women's section, Zhu Jiner is leading after winning all her games.
The defending champions, Volodar Murzin and Koneru Humpy, had tough starts.
Many top players are competing, and the tournament is very exciting.
Magnus Carlsen, Arjun Erigaisi, and D Gukesh are among the leaders after the first five rounds of the 2025 FIDE World Rapid Championships in Doha, Qatar.
Carlsen won four games but was held to a draw by Erigaisi in the final round, ending with 4.5 points.
Gukesh had a great run after starting with a draw, winning four consecutive games to join the leaders.
Defending champion Volodar Murzin had a tough opening day, finishing with just two points.
In the women's section, Zhu Jiner holds the sole lead after winning all four of her games, with seven players trailing her by half a point.
- Who
- Magnus Carlsen, Arjun Erigaisi, D Gukesh, Zhu Jiner, Volodar Murzin, R Praggnanandhaa, Vasyl Ivanchuk, Koneru Humpy, Ju Wenjun
- What
- 2025 FIDE World Rapid Championships
- When
- December 26-27, 2025
- Where
- Doha, Qatar
- Why
- Competition for the title of World Rapid Chess Champion
- Event
- 2025 FIDE World Rapid Championships
- Location
- Doha, Qatar
- Start Date
- December 26, 2025
- Leaders After Round 5
- Magnus Carlsen, Arjun Erigaisi, D Gukesh, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, Vladislav Artemiev
- Defending Rapid Champion
- Volodar Murzin
- Women's Leader
- Zhu Jiner
- Defending Women's Rapid Champion
- Koneru Humpy
- Women's World Champion
- Ju Wenjun
Sources
Magnus Carlsen makes honest admission about relationship with FIDE: 'I wouldn't say that it's great'
'Something to be happy about': Gukesh after finishing World Rapid Championship Day 1 in joint lead
World Rapid chess: Erigaisi, Gukesh in lead with Carlsen
Erigaisi, Gukesh in joint lead with Carlsen after five rounds of FIDE World Rapid Championships
With a defensive masterclass Arjun Erigaisi keeps Magnus Carlsen at bay
WATCH: Magnus Carlsen shoves away a camera after losing a game at World Rapid Championship in Doha
