Carlsen and Goryachkina Crowned World Rapid Champions in Doha
Magnus Carlsen once again proved why he is one of the greatest players in chess history. The Norwegian star won his sixth World Rapid Championship title in Doha with an impressive score of 10.5 out of 13. He finished a full point ahead of the rest of the field.
In the Women’s event, Aleksandra Goryachkina claimed her first World Rapid title after defeating Zhu Jiner in a tense blitz playoff.
Carlsen’s Strong Finish Seals the Title
The 2025 FIDE World Rapid Championship concluded on Sunday evening in Doha, Qatar. After a difficult second day, Carlsen bounced back in style on the final day. He won three games in a row against Alexey Sarana, Hans Niemann, and Ediz Erdogmus.
Carlsen entered the final round with a one-point lead over Vladislav Artemiev and Hans Niemann. Playing White against Anish Giri, Carlsen chose a quick draw. That result was enough to secure the title.
This victory adds to Carlsen’s previous World Rapid titles from 2014, 2015, 2019, 2022, and 2023.
After winning, Carlsen said his mindset makes the difference. He plays only for first place, while many others focus on prize money or medals. This, he explained, gives him a big psychological edge.
Tight Battle for the Podium
Second place was shared by four players on 9.5 points:
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Vladislav Artemiev
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Arjun Erigaisi
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Hans Niemann
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Leinier Dominguez Perez
Artemiev, the only player to beat Carlsen in the event, won the silver medal. Arjun Erigaisi claimed bronze, continuing his strong run at the elite level. Hans Niemann narrowly missed a medal due to tiebreaks.
Women’s Rapid Goes to a Playoff
The Women’s Rapid event was equally dramatic. Zhu Jiner, Aleksandra Goryachkina, and Humpy Koneru were tied for the lead before the final round.
In the last round, Zhu and Goryachkina both drew their games. Humpy Koneru had a winning position but made mistakes in time trouble, allowing Shri B. Savitha to escape with a draw. This result cost Koneru a place in the playoff.
According to tournament rules, only the top two players on tiebreaks advanced. That meant Goryachkina and Zhu Jiner moved on, while Koneru missed out.
Goryachkina Triumphs in Blitz
The title was decided in two blitz games. Goryachkina won the first game convincingly and drew the second. That was enough to secure the championship.
This is a special achievement for Goryachkina, who previously challenged for the Classical World Championship in 2020. Zhu Jiner finished with silver, while Humpy Koneru took home the bronze medal.
What’s Next in Doha?
The excitement continues on Monday, December 29, with the start of the World Blitz Championship in both Open and Women’s sections.
Fans can follow the action live on the FIDE YouTube Channel, with commentary from GM Maurice Ashley, GM Peter Leko, and IM Jovanka Houska.
The FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships 2025 are being held in Doha from December 25 to 30, featuring the world’s top players and a total prize fund of over €1,000,000.
Photos: Anna Shtourman, Lennart Ootes, FIDE_Chess
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
