Doha, Jan 1: Chess great Magnus Carlsen has extended his own record by winning the World Blitz Chess Championship for the ninth time, showcasing his enduring dominance in fast-paced chess formats. The Norwegian world No. 1 clinched the title with a hard-fought 2.5–1.5 victory over Uzbek grandmaster Nodirbek Abdusattorov in the final of the prestigious event held in Doha.Carlsen’s triumph adds to his impressive year, coming just days after he also secured the World Rapid Championship, underlining his exceptional form across rapid and blitz formats.
The championship also saw a standout performance from India’s Arjun Erigaisi, who finished with a bronze medal. The 22-year-old delivered a strong showing in the Swiss rounds, topping the leaderboard with a commanding score, and ultimately secured third place despite a tough semifinal matchup. Erigaisi’s podium finish makes him one of the few Indian men to medal at the World Blitz Championships, following in the footsteps of legendary Viswanathan Anand.
Erigaisi’s achievement has drawn praise from across India, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi applauding his skills, passion and resilience, highlighting the young grandmaster’s contribution to India’s growing stature in global chess.
The event also crowned Bibisara Assaubayeva of Kazakhstan as the women’s Blitz champion, adding further excitement to the championship’s conclusion.
Carlsen’s remarkable ninth Blitz title and Erigaisi’s podium finish cap a memorable tournament in Doha for the world of chess.