DOHA: Magnus Carlsen won the 2025 FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship after defeating Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov 2.5–1.5 in the final match, adding another title to his record-breaking career.
The Norwegian earned €70,000 for the victory, claiming his ninth world blitz crown and his 20th world championship title across classical, rapid and blitz formats. It marked the fifth time Carlsen has held the “double crown” as both world rapid and blitz champion.
The title did not come easily. Carlsen was forced to win on demand in the final rounds of the Swiss stage and again during the knockout phase before sealing the championship in the final game of the match.
In the women’s event, Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva captured her third world blitz title at the age of 21, defeating two-time champion Anna Muzychuk of Ukraine 2.5–1.5 in the final. Assaubayeva earned €40,000 and secured a place in the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament.
Assaubayeva also faced a tense path to victory, nearly losing her final two games of the Swiss stage before saving a lost position in the last round. Like Carlsen, she clinched the championship in the final game of the match.
Former world champion Viswanathan Anand, now a deputy president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), and Qatar Chess Association president Mohammad Al Mudahkha presented the trophies to the winners.
