The FIDE World Rapid Chess 2025 final day in Doha flipped that script into pure drama. Held over three intense days with 13 rounds at 15 minutes plus 10-second increments, this open section showdown delivered edge-of-your-seat action. Magnus Carlsen, the Norwegian maestro, stormed to his sixth rapid world title, finishing a full point clear at 10.5/13, while India’s Arjun Erigaisi grabbed historic bronze with 9.5 points.
World Rapid Chess 2025: Drama Since Day 1
From the start, the field buzzed with top talent, 247 players in Swiss format, including GMs like Gukesh Dommaraju and R Praggnanandhaa. Day one saw Carlsen, Gukesh, Arjun, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, and Vladislav Artemiev share the lead at 4.5/5. Carlsen kicked off strong, winning his first four before drawing Arjun in a rollercoaster where he escaped a near-lost opening to hold firm. That stoic defence became Arjun’s tournament highlight, proving the Indian star could stare down the king.
Day two of the World Rapid Chess 2025 brought the chaos. Carlsen stumbled with a rare loss to silver medalist Vladislav Artemiev, the only one to beat him in the event. Yet, the world No. 1 bounced back fiercely on the final day, reeling off three straight wins against Alexey Sarana, Hans Niemann, his long-time rival, and Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus. In the last round, a quick draw with Anish Giri sealed his 19th world title across formats, earning €70,000 and etching his name deeper in rapid history (previous wins: 2014, 2015, 2019, 2022, 2023).
Arjun Erigaisi’s Historic Bronze
Arjun Erigaisi lit up for India, losing just twice, to Artemiev and young Turkish phenom Erdogmus. Tied at 9.5 with Artemiev, Hans Niemann, and Leinier Dominguez Perez, he snagged bronze via superior tiebreaks (Buchholz score). This marks the first Indian male podium since Viswanathan Anand, boosting Arjun’s spot in next year’s Total Chess World Championship Tour pilot. Other Indians trailed: Aravindh Chithambaram 16th, Nihal Sarin and Gukesh 19th-20th, Praggnanandhaa 28th.
Magnus Carlsen’s dominance reaffirms why he’s untouchable in rapid fire. For Arjun, bronze is no consolation; it’s fuel for bigger hunts. With Blitz starting next in Doha, the chess circus rolls on. Stay locked in; the board never sleeps.
Read More
Also read: Battle Of The Sexes: Aryna Sabalenka Vows To Beat Nick Kyrgios
