Magnus Carlsen and Aleksandra Goryachkina Crowned World Rapid Chess Champions in Doha | FIDE 2025
Doha, Qatar – The 2025 FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship concluded in spectacular fashion in Doha as Norway’s Magnus Carlsen once again asserted his supremacy in the Open section, while Russia’s Aleksandra Goryachkina claimed her maiden Women’s World Rapid crown after a nerve-racking finish. Over three intense days, the world’s elite grandmasters battled in one of chess’s most unforgiving formats, where every second matters and a single oversight can undo hours of preparation.
For Magnus Carlsen, this triumph marked yet another milestone in a career already decorated with world titles across classical, rapid, and blitz formats. The former world champion finished clear at the top of the standings after 13 rounds, producing a commanding final-day surge that separated him from a tightly packed field. His trademark blend of calm calculation and instinctive decision-making proved decisive in the closing stages, where he turned pressure into points against direct rivals.
The Norwegian icon’s path to the title was not without turbulence. After dropping a critical game midway through the event, Magnus Carlsen responded with characteristic resilience, stringing together crucial wins against top-ranked opponents in the final rounds. His closing draw in the last round was enough to secure the championship outright, once again underlining his unmatched consistency in rapid chess, a discipline he has made his own over the past decade.
Behind him, the Open section witnessed fierce competition for the remaining podium places. Russia’s Vladislav Artemiev and India’s rising star Arjun Erigaisi both produced exceptional performances, finishing just half a point behind the champion. Arjun’s bronze-medal finish further reinforced India’s growing influence in global chess, with a new generation now firmly challenging the traditional powerhouses.
The Women’s World Rapid Championship delivered even more drama. Aleksandra Goryachkina entered the final rounds locked in a three-way battle with China’s Zhu Jiner and India’s Koneru Humpy. All three players finished the main Swiss portion on identical scores, forcing the title to be decided through a tense blitz playoff.
It was in this high-pressure environment that Goryachkina showcased her mental fortitude. Winning the first blitz encounter with precise tactical play and then holding a composed draw in the second, the Russian grandmaster sealed her first world rapid title. For a player long regarded as one of the most technically gifted in the women’s game, the Doha victory represented long-awaited validation on the world stage.
Zhu Jiner had led for large parts of the tournament and settled for silver, while Koneru Humpy’s bronze medal ensured India once again featured prominently on the podium. Humpy’s consistency in elite events continues to underline her status as one of the most reliable performers in women’s chess, even as younger challengers emerge.
The Doha championships were a vivid reminder of why rapid chess remains one of the most captivating formats in the sport. With reduced thinking time, players were forced to rely on intuition as much as preparation, producing a series of bold sacrifices, daring attacks, and dramatic time scrambles that enthralled spectators both inside the venue and online.
For Qatar, hosting the World Rapid Championship further strengthened the nation’s growing reputation as a hub for international sport, following successful events across athletics, football, and motorsport. The seamless organisation and world-class facilities ensured the focus remained firmly on the chessboard.
As attention now shifts to the blitz segment of the championships, the rapid event will be remembered for two defining narratives: Magnus Carlsen’s enduring reign as the undisputed king of fast chess, and Aleksandra Goryachkina’s breakthrough moment that rewrote her career story. For fans of the sport, Doha 2025 delivered exactly what world championship chess promises – excellence, drama, and champions worthy of the crown.
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