The 2025 FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championship is shaping up to be one of the most competitive and widely followed chess events of the year. With the tournament returning to Doha, Qatar from December 25 to 30, more than 360 titled players— including world champions, elite grandmasters, and rising teenage prodigies—have confirmed their participation. The field is so strong that several observers have already called it “one of the best lineups ever assembled” for the World Rapid & Blitz.
While the list of participants includes almost every major star in today’s chess world, it also highlights some surprising absences, adding another layer of intrigue to the event. Here is a full breakdown of the players, the missing names, and what fans can expect from this year’s championship.
Players in the Field
World Champion Gukesh D Returns
The reigning World Champion, Gukesh D, will be one of the biggest attractions in Doha. Since becoming the youngest-ever Classical World Champion earlier this year, Gukesh has been followed closely by fans everywhere he competes. His brilliant performance in Zagreb earlier in 2025 established him as one of the most dangerous rapid players in the world. Many believe he enters the tournament as one of the favorites for the Rapid crown.
Magnus Carlsen Is Back for Another Run
Five-time World Rapid Champion and eight-time Blitz Champion Magnus Carlsen is returning after last year’s split gold with Ian Nepomniachtchi in the Blitz. Carlsen missed out on the Rapid title in New York in 2024 and has made it clear he wants it back.
2025 also marks a special year for him personally—Carlsen became a father—yet he remains fully committed to chasing more titles. With over 200 elite competitors in each section, the former world champion will try to unseat defending Rapid champion Volodar Murzin, who has enjoyed a breakout year.
Elite Veterans: Caruana, Nepomniachtchi, So, Aronian, Giri
Some of the world’s most experienced and successful grandmasters have also confirmed their participation:
- Ian Nepomniachtchi, 2024 World Blitz co-champion
- Fabiano Caruana, former World Championship challenger
- Anish Giri, one of the most consistent rapid players of the past decade
- Wesley So, U.S. star and former World Fischer Random Champion
- Levon Aronian, still dangerous in fast time controls
These names, combined with Carlsen and Gukesh, guarantee a top-tier field in both formats.
The New Generation: Abdusattorov, Praggnanandhaa, Erigaisi, Keymer
The youth movement in chess continues to accelerate, and Doha will showcase many of the brightest talents in the world today:
- Nodirbek Abdusattorov – former World Rapid Champion
- Praggnanandhaa R – 2024 Candidates runner-up
- Arjun Erigaisi – one of the fastest-improving players globally
- Vincent Keymer – Germany’s top prodigy
- Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus and Ediz Gürel – two Turkish teenagers rising rapidly in rating lists
- Faustino Oro
These players are hungry and aiming for major breakthroughs, making the generational clash one of the tournament’s most exciting storylines.
Fan Favorites and Living Legends
Part of the charm of Rapid & Blitz lies in bringing players from different eras into the same arena. This year, spectators will be thrilled to see:
- Alexander Grischuk – three-time World Blitz Champion
- Vasyl Ivanchuk – winner of the 2016 Rapid title in Doha
Ivanchuk’s return to the same city where he once lifted the Rapid trophy adds a nostalgic touch for long-time fans.
Women’s Field: A Championship-Level Roster
The Women’s World Rapid & Blitz Championships will run alongside the Open section, featuring 130 participants and an exceptionally strong lineup.
Leading the field:
- Ju Wenjun – Women’s World Champion, and 2024 Women’s Blitz Champion
- Zhu Jiner – one of China’s brightest stars
- Lei Tingjie – 2023 Candidates winner
- Aleksandra Goryachkina – consistently elite across all formats
- Humpy Koneru – current Women’s Rapid World Champion
Also returning is Anna Muzychuk, who famously won both the Women’s Rapid and Blitz titles in Doha in 2016. She will be joined by her sister Mariya Muzychuk, the former Women’s World Champion.
Notable Absences
Despite the star-studded roster, several major names will not be attending the 2025 World Rapid & Blitz. According to public discussion and participant lists, the following top rapid or blitz specialists are missing:
Hikaru Nakamura
The biggest absence by far is Hikaru Nakamura, widely regarded as one of the best blitz players ever. Fans were surprised—especially with a €1,000,000 prize fund—but several reasons have been discussed:
- He is preparing for the 2026 Candidates Tournament, which he has said is his main focus.
- Nakamura mentioned in previous years that he dislikes traveling during Christmas, preferring family time.
- His wife is expecting their first baby in December.
- He has described himself as “semi-retired,” only playing major events that interest him deeply.
For all these reasons, his absence—though disappointing—makes sense to those who follow his career closely.
Ding Liren
The former World Champion Ding Liren will also not participate. Ding has played very selectively since losing the world title and appears to be prioritizing rest and recovery.
Alireza Firouzja
Perhaps the most surprising absence is Alireza Firouzja, who is normally very active in fast time-control events. No official reason has been shared, but fans speculate he may be focused on preparing for Classical tournaments in 2026.
Missing Stars
Additional high-rated players confirmed as absent include:
Rapid
- Wei Yi
- Vladimir Fedoseev
- Viswanathan Anand
- Hikaru Nakamura (as noted)
- Alireza Firouzja
- Ding Liren
Blitz
- Hans Niemann
- Jeffrey Xiong
- Ding Liren
- Wei Yi
- Anand
- Fedoseev
- Nakamura
- Firouzja
Even with these absences, the field remains extraordinarily strong.
Tournament Information
Dates and Venue
- December 25–30, 2025
- Sports and Events Complex, Qatar University, Doha
This will be Doha’s second time hosting the event, having previously hosted in 2016. The 2025 edition will feature four tournaments:
- World Rapid Championship (Open)
- World Rapid Championship (Women)
- World Blitz Championship (Open)
- World Blitz Championship (Women)
Prize Fund
The combined prize pool exceeds €1,000,000, making it one of the most financially significant chess events of the year.
Field Size
- Rapid Open: 230 players
- Blitz Open: 233 players
- Women’s tournaments: 130 players combined
Time Controls
- Rapid: 15 minutes + 10 seconds increment
- Blitz: 3 minutes + 2 seconds increment
These have been standard for the World Rapid & Blitz since 2012.
A Historic Host City
Doha is now the only city to host the World Rapid & Blitz Championship twice, a milestone highlighted by both FIDE and the Qatar Chess Federation.
Organizers emphasize their commitment to high-quality events, with Qatar Chess Federation President Mohd Al-Mudahka stating that the return of the championship shows “Doha’s passion for chess and its ambition to support the sport’s global growth.”
Context: One of the Strongest Championships Ever
Between current world champions, former world champions, multiple Candidates players, and the most promising young prodigies, the 2025 lineup reflects the global strength of modern chess. FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky summarized it best:
“Once again, FIDE has gathered nearly all of the world’s very best players. It will be a true chess feast.”
With storylines ranging from Carlsen’s pursuit of more titles to Gukesh’s fast-time-control challenge, and from the prodigy surge to the strategic withdrawals of Nakamura and Firouzja, the event promises drama from start to finish.
I’m Xuan Binh, the founder of Attacking Chess, and the Deputy Head of Communications at the Vietnam Chess Federation (VCF). My chess.com and lichess rating is above 2300. Send me a challenge or message via Lichess. Follow me on Twitter (X) or Facebook.
