FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships Qatar 2025
The FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships 2025 bring the world’s fastest chess to Doha, Qatar, uniting the Open and Women’s championships under one festival. Four crowns are at stake—Open Rapid, Open Blitz, Women’s Rapid, Women’s Blitz—with elite fields, global coverage, and major prize funds.
Expect a compact holiday schedule, top arbiters, full FIDE rating, and professional fair-play standards. It’s the definitive year-end showdown in the chess calendar.
Event Details
| 📅 Dates | 25–31 December 2025 |
| 📍 Location | Doha, Qatar |
| 💰 Prize Fund (Open) | €700,000 total (Rapid €350,000 • Blitz €350,000) |
| 💰 Prize Fund (Women) | €300,000 total (Rapid €150,000 • Blitz €150,000) |
| 🏁 Tournament Type | World Championships • FIDE rated |
| 🧩 Tournament System | Rapid: Swiss • Blitz: Stage 1 Swiss → Stage 2 4-player Knockout |
| 🔢 Number of Rounds | Open Rapid 13 • Women’s Rapid 11 • Open Blitz 19 (Stage 1) • Women’s Blitz 15 (Stage 1) |
| ⏱️ Time Control | Rapid 15’+10” • Blitz 3’+2” (from move 1) |
| ⏰ Default Time / Late Arrival | No default time |
| 📆 Registration (fees) | Open: €100 by Dec 15; €200 after • Women: €50 by Dec 15; €100 after |
| 🏢 Organizer | FIDE |
| ✉️ Email | (via official website contact) |
| ☎️ Phone | (via official website contact) |
| 🔗 Official Website | worldrapidandblitz2025.fide.com |
Prize Fund & Breakdown
Open — Rapid (€350,000)
| Place | Prize (€) |
|---|---|
| 1st | 70,000 |
| 2nd | 50,000 |
| 3rd | 36,000 |
| 4th | 28,000 |
| 5th | 23,000 |
| 6th | 19,000 |
| 7th | 16,000 |
| 8th | 13,000 |
| 9th | 11,000 |
| 10th | 10,000 |
| 11th–17th | 5,000 each |
| 18th–25th | 3,000 each |
| 26th–35th | 1,500 each |
| Total | €350,000 |
Rapid prizes are shared among players with the same score.
Open — Blitz (€350,000)
| Place | Prize (€) |
|---|---|
| 1st | 70,000 |
| 2nd | 50,000 |
| 3rd | 28,000 |
| 4th | 28,000 |
| 5th | 24,000 |
| 6th | 21,000 |
| 7th | 18,000 |
| 8th | 15,000 |
| 9th | 12,000 |
| 10th | 10,000 |
| 11th–17th | 5,000 each |
| 18th–25th | 3,000 each |
| 26th–35th | 1,500 each |
| Total | €350,000 |
In Blitz, prizes are shared among players with the same score who do not qualify for Stage 2.
Women — Rapid (€150,000)
| Place | Prize (€) |
|---|---|
| 1st | 40,000 |
| 2nd | 27,000 |
| 3rd | 19,000 |
| 4th | 14,000 |
| 5th | 11,000 |
| 6th | 8,000 |
| 7th | 6,000 |
| 8th | 5,000 |
| 9th | 4,000 |
| 10th | 3,500 |
| 11th–15th | 2,500 each |
| Total | €150,000 |
Women — Blitz (€150,000)
| Place | Prize (€) |
|---|---|
| 1st | 40,000 |
| 2nd | 25,000 |
| 3rd | 15,000 |
| 4th | 15,000 |
| 5th | 12,000 |
| 6th | 9,500 |
| 7th | 7,500 |
| 8th | 5,500 |
| 9th | 4,500 |
| 10th | 3,500 |
| 11th–15th | 2,500 each |
| Total | €150,000 |
Time Control & Pairings
- Rapid (Open & Women): Swiss; Open 13 rounds • Women 11 rounds; 15’+10”; no default time.
- Blitz – Stage 1 (Open & Women): Swiss; Open 19 rounds • Women 15 rounds; 3’+2”; no default time.
- Blitz – Stage 2: Top 4 from Stage 1 play 4-game knockout matches (Semi-finals & Final).
- Tiebreaks (Swiss stages): Standard Buchholz-based procedures; Rapid title playoff if required.
Sections / Groups
| Championship | Format | Rounds | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open Rapid | Swiss | 13 | World title & medals |
| Women’s Rapid | Swiss | 11 | World title & medals |
| Open Blitz | Swiss + KO (Top 4) | 19 + KO | Stage 1 Swiss → Stage 2 KO |
| Women’s Blitz | Swiss + KO (Top 4) | 15 + KO | Stage 1 Swiss → Stage 2 KO |
Schedule (combined overview)
Open (Rapid & Blitz)
| Date | Event / Rounds | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Dec | Arrivals & Accreditation | All day |
| 26 Dec | Opening • Rapid Rds 1–5 | Opening 13:00 • R1 14:00 • R2 15:20 • R3 16:40 • R4 18:00 • R5 19:20 |
| 27 Dec | Rapid Rds 6–9 | 14:00 • 15:20 • 16:40 • 18:00 |
| 28 Dec | Rapid Rds 10–13 • Play-off (if needed) | 14:00 • 15:20 • 16:40 • 18:00 • Play-off ~19:30 |
| 29 Dec | Blitz Stage 1 Rds 1–13 | Block sessions (≈ every 30 minutes) |
| 30 Dec | Blitz Stage 1 Rds 14–19 • Stage 2 SF • Final • Closing | R14–R19 afternoon • SF early evening • Final later • Closing |
| 31 Dec | Departures | All day |
Women (Rapid & Blitz)
| Date | Event / Rounds | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 25 Dec | Arrivals & Accreditation | All day |
| 26 Dec | Opening • Rapid Rds 1–4 | Opening 13:00 • R1 14:00 • R2 15:20 • R3 16:40 • R4 18:00 |
| 27 Dec | Rapid Rds 5–8 | 14:00 • 15:20 • 16:40 • 18:00 |
| 28 Dec | Rapid Rds 9–11 • Play-off (if needed) | 14:00 • 15:20 • 16:40 • Play-off after |
| 29 Dec | Blitz Stage 1 Rds 1–10 | Block sessions (≈ every 30 minutes) |
| 30 Dec | Blitz Stage 1 Rds 11–15 • Stage 2 SF • Final • Closing | R11–R15 afternoon • SF early evening • Final later • Closing |
| 31 Dec | Departures | All day |
Registration
- Who registers: Players register themselves (not via federations).
- Entry fees: Open €100 by 15 Dec (€200 after) • Women €50 by 15 Dec (€100 after).
- Eligibility: Rating/qualification thresholds for Open/Women; Organizer/FIDE nominations possible.
- Hotel policy: Foreign players and accredited accompanying persons are expected to use official hotels (details on the website).
- Visa support: Invitation letters provided on request; apply early.
Organizer
FIDE (International Chess Federation) delivers the World Rapid & Blitz with top-level venue standards, anti-cheating measures, international arbiters and broadcast production.
- Website: worldrapidandblitz2025.fide.com
Venue
Doha, Qatar, Sports and Events Complex of Qatar University
📍 Google Maps: Doha
Accommodation
Official hotel list and rates will be announced. Selected top-rated players and medalists may receive travel support and 4★ hotel accommodation with daily allowance (per regulations). Early booking recommended.
How to Get There
- By Air: Hamad International Airport (DOH) connects globally.
- Airport → Hotels/Venue: Taxi, ride-hailing and metro lines serve central Doha efficiently.
- Local Transport: Modern metro and buses; tournament updates will indicate the exact playing hall.
Close the chess year on the world stage—four crowns, the fastest formats, and the brightest stars. See you in Doha at the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships 2025!