The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has unveiled significant changes for the World Rapid and Blitz Championships scheduled for 2025. Notable alterations include a prize fund of €1 million and a novel knockout style for the Blitz competition. The tournament is set to take place in Doha, Qatar, from December 26th through December 31st, 2025.
Doha previously hosted the event in 2016 and remains a growing hub for elite chess competitions.
Top Talent, Big Stakes
Each year, the chess championship consistently attracts some of the most prominent figures in the game. This time around, we anticipate seeing the reigning world champions, Gukesh Dommaraju and Ju Wenjun, as well as Magnus Carlsen, one of the highest-rated players, and other notable competitors.
The €1 million prize fund will be divided across the Open and Women’s sections:
- €700,000 for the Open (split evenly between Rapid and Blitz)
- €300,000 for the Women’s (also split evenly)
These figures match recent editions, reinforcing FIDE’s commitment to high-level competition.
Blitz Format Gets a Major Overhaul
FIDE has decided to simplify the elimination system for the Blitz title match, with just the top four players progressing straight to the semifinals, instead of the earlier eight. (This is a change from the previous format.)
The Blitz tournament will feature:
- 19 Swiss rounds in the Open section
- 15 Swiss rounds in the Women’s section
- Semifinals and finals on December 30
Emil Sutovsky, FIDE’s CEO, stated that the fresh design enhances the event’s liveliness,” he explained, “Our goal is to provide top-notch live streaming experiences for our countless viewers.
The Rapid format remains unchanged, with 13 rounds in the Open and 11 rounds in the Women’s event.
Chess in the Spotlight
As quicker game timings gain traction, FIDE’s updates aim to maintain the event engaging and user-friendly. “The competition is tougher and more intense than before,” remarked FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich.
For detailed regulations, visit:
Women’s Section
Open Section
Stay tuned to TopMob for more updates on chess and the latest from the world of competitive gaming.
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2025-05-16 06:30