DOHA: Magnus Carlsen said he was fully prepared to defend his title and expressed his happiness at returning to Doha, where he has previously competed in the Qatar Masters and the 2016 world championships.
“The gap between the top players and the rest is getting smaller, which makes the challenge tougher for everyone,” Carlsen said, adding that technology had become an important part of modern chess, provided it was used positively and with strong mental discipline.
Gukesh Dommaraju said he was excited to compete in Doha, expecting fierce competition and highlighting the importance of mental and physical readiness alongside technological preparation.
Ju Wenjun said she was motivated to defend her title but acknowledged the strength of the field. “This tournament is a major platform for players from around the world to showcase their abilities,” she said.
Prize fund and historical note
The total prize fund exceeds one million euros, with 700,000 euros allocated to the open competition and 300,000 euros to the women’s event, split equally between the rapid and blitz championships.
The World Rapid Chess Championship was first held in Doha in 2016, when Ukraine’s Vasyl Ivanchuk won the open title and Anna Muzychuk claimed the women’s crown.
