GM Magnus Carlsen is the 2025 World Rapid Champion; second and third are GM Vladislav Artemiev and GM Arjun Erigaisi. In the Women’s, GM Aleksandra Goryachkina is the 2025 Women’s World Rapid Champion, with second and third going to GM Zhu Jiner and GM Humpy Koneru, respectively.

GM Vladislav Artemiev and GM Hans Moke Niemann are in the shared lead on 7.5/9, with GM Magnus Carlsen, GM Nodirbek Abdusattorov, GM Alexey Sarana, and GM Yağız Kaan Erdoğmuş part of the chasing pack on 7/9. In the women’s, GM Humpy Koneru and GM Zhu Jiner are in joint first on 6.5/8, with nine players on 6/8.

Five players are on 4.5 points after five rounds: GM Magnus Carlsen, GM Arjun Erigaisi, GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, GM Vladislav Artemiev, and GM Gukesh D, while in the Women’s, GM Zhu Jiner is on a perfect 4/4 after a rather dominant performance, with seven players part of the chasing pack on 3.5/4.

Qatar’s capital city, Doha, will host the best chess players in the world for the annual FIDE World Rapid and Blitz from 26th to 30th December.

2025 is coming to a close and we’ve created a personalized recap of your chess year