Magnus Carlsen Claims World Rapid and Blitz Titles in Doha 2025
Magnus Carlsen once again proved why he is considered one of the greatest chess players of all time, winning both the World Rapid Chess Championship and the World Blitz Chess Championship at the 2025 FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships in Doha, Qatar. The remarkable double crown added yet another chapter to the Norwegian grandmaster’s extraordinary career.
Facing a field packed with the world’s strongest players, Carlsen demonstrated supreme consistency, resilience, and tactical brilliance across both formats. His victories in Doha marked his sixth World Rapid title and ninth World Blitz title, taking his total number of world championships across all time controls to 20.
Rapid Championship: Control Under Pressure
The rapid tournament, played with a 15-minute time control plus increments, showcased Carlsen’s strategic depth and endgame mastery. After a brief setback in the early rounds, he responded with a series of critical wins, gradually pulling ahead of his closest rivals.
Carlsen finished the event with a clear lead, displaying calm decision-making even in tense positions. His ability to convert small advantages and defend difficult positions under time pressure proved decisive, allowing him to secure the rapid title ahead of a highly competitive chasing pack.
Here are the Rapid games played by Carlsen from the tournament:
Blitz Championship: Speed, Precision, and Nerves of Steel
The blitz championship brought an entirely different challenge, with games played at lightning speed. Carlsen navigated the demanding Swiss stage before advancing to the knockout rounds, where the margins for error were razor-thin.
In the final, he faced young Uzbek star Nodirbek Abdusattorov in a dramatic match. After dropping the opening game, Carlsen bounced back with characteristic fighting spirit, winning key encounters and ultimately sealing the match with a 2.5–1.5 victory. His sharp tactics and flawless time management under extreme pressure highlighted his dominance in the fastest format of the game.
Here we present you the Blitz games from the knockout stage
A Historic Double Crown
By winning both the rapid and blitz championships in Doha, Carlsen achieved the prestigious rapid for the sixth time and World Blitz Chess Championship for the ninth time in his career—an achievement unmatched in modern chess. The feat further strengthened his reputation as the most versatile player of his generation, capable of excelling across all time controls.
Strong Field and Rising Stars
The Doha championships also highlighted the growing depth of elite chess. Young talents such as Arjun Erigaisi delivered impressive performances, while experienced grandmasters continued to challenge at the highest level. Despite the fierce competition, Carlsen’s experience and composure consistently set him apart when it mattered most.
A Champion Beyond Classical Chess
Although Carlsen stepped away from defending the classical World Chess Championship title in recent years, his performances in rapid and blitz continue to underline his unmatched dominance in elite chess. The Doha triumph reaffirmed that, regardless of format, Carlsen remains the benchmark against which all others are measured.
As the chess world looks ahead to future championships, Magnus Carlsen’s stunning double victory in Doha 2025 will be remembered as another defining moment in a legendary career—one that continues to shape the history of the game.