FIDE World Blitz in Doha: Tight Race in Open, Eline Roebers Leads Women’s Event

The 2025 FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship began in Doha on Monday, December 29. The opening day delivered fast games, big surprises, and plenty of drama. After 13 rounds in the Open and 10 rounds in the Women’s event, the race for the titles is wide open.

Three-Way Tie at the Top in the Open Blitz

After Day 1, Arjun Erigaisi, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, and Fabiano Caruana share the lead in the Open section with 10 points each.

Arjun Erigaisi had a fantastic day. He climbed to the top in Round 11 and defeated Magnus Carlsen in a dramatic game where Carlsen lost on time after a piece slipped from his hand. Arjun’s only loss came against Jorden van Foreest.

Maxime Vachier-Lagrave bounced back strongly after an early loss in Round 2. He recovered quickly and joined the leaders by Round 12.

Fabiano Caruana also finished the day strongly. One of his key wins came against Magnus Carlsen, who made a rare rook blunder in time trouble.

Just behind the leaders are six players on 9.5 points. Defending co-champions Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi are close, sitting on 9/13.

Early Leaders and Turning Points in the Open

Jorden van Foreest was the first sole leader after Round 6 with a perfect score. The Dutch champion defeated top players like Alireza Firouzja and Arjun Erigaisi. However, a loss to Nodirbek Abdusattorov in Round 7 slowed his momentum, and he ended the day with 8/13.

By Round 10, Arjun Erigaisi stood alone at the top with 8.5/10. Going into the final round of the day, Erigaisi, Vachier-Lagrave, and Caruana were tied. All three drew their last games, keeping the three-way tie intact.

Magnus Carlsen finished Day 1 on 9 points. He lost two crucial games, one on time against Erigaisi and another after missing a rook against Caruana. With six rounds remaining, Carlsen still has chances but needs a strong comeback.

The Moment Everyone Is Talking About

One of the most dramatic moments came in Round 9. Magnus Carlsen and Arjun Erigaisi were locked in a tense endgame. With only seconds on the clock, Carlsen’s queen slipped from his hand and flew off the table. By the time he placed it back, his time had expired. The incident summed up the intense pressure of blitz chess and became the highlight of the day.

Eline Roebers Takes Sole Lead in Women’s Blitz

In the Women’s event, Eline Roebers of the Netherlands emerged as the sole leader with 8.5/10.

She first defeated Aleksandra Goryachkina in Round 9 to share the lead. In Round 10, Roebers won convincingly with the black pieces against Candela Francisco Guecamburu, securing first place alone.

Goryachkina, Umida Omonova, and former Women’s World Champion Antoaneta Stefanova are close behind on 8 points.

Strong Performances in the Women’s Section

Umida Omonova was the first sole leader after Round 6. She defeated several top players, including Koneru Humpy, Kateryna Lagno, and Alice Lee, showing great form.

Aleksandra Goryachkina then took over the lead in Round 7 and held it until her loss to Eline Roebers in Round 9.

Defending Women’s Blitz World Champion Ju Wenjun had a difficult day. She finished with 5.5 points, making her chances of reaching the knockout stage very slim.

Blitz Format and What’s Next

The World Blitz Championship starts with a Swiss system tournament. The Open has 19 rounds, while the Women’s event has 15 rounds. The top four players qualify for the knockout stage.

The knockout matches are played over four blitz games. If the score is tied, a sudden-death game decides the winner.

With a time control of 3 minutes plus 2 seconds increment, the World Blitz is known for nonstop action, surprises, and dramatic finishes.

Day 2 continues on Tuesday, December 30, with the final rounds and knockout battles set to decide the champions.