GM Magnus Carlsen says he enters the World Rapid & Blitz Championship with motivation and a determination to “give it my all” after several months of doubts over whether he would even take part in the events at all.
The first day of the 2025 FIDE World Rapid Championship kicks off in Doha, Qatar, on December 26, followed by the 2025 World Blitz Championship on December 29, marking the end of the chess calendar in a Christmas tradition for fans worldwide that began in the same city in 2016.
Carlsen has competed in every World Rapid & Blitz Championship since 2014 and arrives in Doha as the world number-one in both rapid and blitz. With an astonishing 13 world championship speed chess titles, he has more than all his rivals combined.
Speaking to Chess.com’s Askild Bryn during the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam in South Africa this month, Carlsen reflected both his expectations for the championship and a year that saw major life changes.
Despite already winning eight tournaments across all formats in 2025, the 35-year-old has no plans of slowing down. “I am playing in order to kind of push myself a little bit. It’s a tournament I want to do well in,” he said. “I’m motivated to give it my all and do well. As long as I’m in good shape, I’ll be a dangerous man.”
As long as I’m in good shape, I’ll be a dangerous man.
—Magnus Carlsen
Carlsen admitted he was “more than out at some point,” and he came close to skipping the event altogether due to a long-standing feud with FIDE. His frustrations with the governing chess body peaked at the 2024 World Rapid Championship, where he was fined $200 for wearing jeans.
The scandal was dubbed “Jeansgate” and made headlines worldwide. Carlsen later auctioned his jeans off to charity for $36,000 after a bidding war. After withdrawing from the Rapid event, he declared himself “at full war with FIDE,” but eventually made a U-turn to play the Blitz, agreeing to share the title with GM Ian Nepomniachtchi in another major controversy that made headlines globally.
In February, he told Norwegian broadcaster TV 2 that he considered participation in future FIDE events “completely out of the question.” In October, however, he told Take Take Take that his position had shifted “from a clear no to a maybe.”
Always an honour represent Norway on the biggest stage pic.twitter.com/a6Z4J2XEym
— Magnus Carlsen (@MagnusCarlsen) December 25, 2025
In late November, FIDE eventually confirmed his participation. Several factors changed Carlsen’s mind. “First of all, I found some motivation to play and compete against the best in a world championship setting,” he said. “Apart from that, it’s become a tradition in Norway.”
I found some motivation to play and compete against the best in a world championship setting.
—Magnus Carlsen
Carlsen also said that while he has not had any contact with FIDE regarding participation, his good relationship with the organizer, GM Mohd Al-Mudahka, also played a role. “My family and I have a great relationship with him, which is also part of the reason why I wanted to play.”
Carlsen implied that GMs Hikaru Nakamura and Alireza Firouzja are his main rivals, hinting there is a gap behind them. Nakamura, having recently become a father, is not competing in Doha, while Firouzja was actually confirmed by FIDE in the last few days. That is exciting news for fans as the Iranian-born Frenchman is guaranteed to give Carlsen a run for the money.
♟️🔥 Great news! Alireza Firouzja will compete at the FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships.
♟ The FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships 2025
🌍 Doha, Qatar 🇶🇦
🗓 December 26–30, 2025
📺 Watch on the FIDE YouTube and Twitch channelsBuy tickets – find the link on the… pic.twitter.com/yZo1KPlHrd
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) December 23, 2025
“I’m mainly focused on my own play. If I do well, I will have a great chance. After me, it’s very much a free-for-all,” Carlsen said.
You can check out some more predictions from top players in our video below:
Carlsen also talked about some notable format changes this year—19 preliminary rounds in the Blitz with just four knockout spots—compared to the 13 rounds last year when he controversially shared the title with Nepomniachtchi. Carlsen said he welcomes the change.
“I think it’s good that it’s more games in the preliminaries,” he said. “Last year with only 13 rounds, it became very, very hectic… a little bit of a mess.”
The extended preliminary also removes excuses, he noted: “If I’m not top four in 19 rounds, then I’m just not good enough.”
If I’m not top four in 19 rounds, then I’m just not good enough.
—Magnus Carlsen
Looking back, Carlsen also described his year as “a fun ride,” when he married Ella Victoria Carlsen in January and became the father of a baby boy in September. His chess highlight was the shining 9/9 in Grenke Chess Freestyle Open.
Whether Carlsen leaves Doha with one, two, or no new titles at all remains an open question, but as ever, the World Rapid & Blitz is guaranteed to deliver twists, turns, and exciting chess from start to finish.
