Latest news with #FIDEWorldRapidandBlitzChampionships
The Hindu
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
India Chess Wrap, May 14: Praggnanandhaa and Gukesh see contrasting fortunes; Nihal jumps to fourth
R Praggnanandhaa and D Gukesh played out draws in Round 7 of the Grand Chess Tour: Superbet Chess Classic in Romania. However, their standings tell different stories. Praggnanandhaa currently shares the lead with three others on four points, placing him in a strong joint-fourth position. In contrast, Gukesh is yet to score, marking a surprising dip in form following his triumph over Ding Liren in the World Championship. Meanwhile, at the Asian Individual Chess Championships, Nihal Sarin made a significant leap from tenth to fourth place after an impressive Round 8 victory over S.P. Sethuraman. ALSO READ | 2025 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships: Dates, format, prize money and key changes Demonstrating precise calculation and sustained pressure, Nihal converted a promising middlegame into a comfortable win. He now shares second place with Narayanan Sunilduth Lyna on six points, firmly positioning himself in contention as the tournament enters its final rounds. Vaishali draws with Tan In the ongoing FIDE Women's Grand Prix, R Vaishali had a chance to move to the top of the standings in her Round 8 game against World Championship runner-up Tan Zhongyi, but instead settled for a solid draw. She now sits in fourth place, just one point behind Anna Muzychuk, who leads with 5.5 points. Vaishali chose a safe approach with the Ruy Lopez opening and developed her pieces steadily. Tan responded with some sharp kingside play, but Vaishali stayed calm and defended accurately. As the match moved into the middlegame, the positions became simpler. By move 35, queens and several other pieces were off the board, leaving both players with just rooks and pawns. The endgame was balanced, with no clear winning chances for either side. Tan looked for opportunities with her rook, but Vaishali held firm. After a series of repeated moves, the game ended in a draw. It was a well-played encounter with smart decisions and solid play from both sides. Tan is currently third with 5 points. The final round will be played on May 15.
The Hindu
14-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
2025 FIDE Rapid and Blitz Explained: Schedule, Format Changes, Prize Split
When and where will the 2025 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships take place? The 2025 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships are scheduled to take place in Doha, Qatar from December 26 to December 31. What is the total prize fund for the 2025 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships? The total prize fund for the 2025 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships is one million euros, which is approximately 1.125 million USD. How is the prize fund distributed between the Open and Women's sections? The Open section receives €700,000, which is evenly divided between the Rapid and Blitz tournaments (€350,000 for each). The Women's section receives €300,000, also split equally between the Rapid and Blitz tournaments (€150,000 for each). What significant format changes have been introduced for the 2025 Blitz Championships? For the 2025 Blitz Championships, FIDE has introduced a more streamlined knockout stage. In both the Open and Women's sections, only the top four players from the initial Swiss stage will advance directly to the knockout semifinals. Previously, eight players qualified for the knockout phase. How does the new Blitz format aim to enhance the event? According to FIDE officials, the new format is an 'exciting mix of the Swiss system and knockout.' The increased number of rounds in the qualifying Swiss stage is intended to ensure that the strongest players progress to the knockout phase. Additionally, the scheduling of the final match-up is designed to suit audiences across major chess hubs. What are the regulations and schedule for the 2025 Blitz Championships? In the Blitz Championships, the Open section will have 19 Swiss rounds, while the Women's section will have 15 Swiss rounds. These will be followed by semifinals and finals on December 30. Detailed regulations for the Open and Women's events are available on the FIDE website. Has the format for the World Rapid Championships also changed for 2025? No, the format for the World Rapid Championships remains unchanged for 2025. The Open competition will consist of 13 rounds, and the Women's competition will have 11 rounds. A playoff will be conducted in case of a tie for first place. Related Topics World Rapid and Blitz Championship
Indian Express
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
FIDE announce €1 million prize fund, ‘format enhancements' for World Rapid and Blitz Championship
The global governing body for chess, FIDE, have announced a €1 million prize fund for the year-ending FIDE World Rapid and Blitz tournament besides 'format enhancements'. Set to take place in Doha, Qatar this year, the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships are played over a six-day window and is one of the most prestigious events on the international chess calendar since their official launch in 2012. Of the prize fund, €700,000 has been allocated to the Open section — evenly divided between the Rapid and Blitz tournaments — while less than half of that amount, €300,000, has been reserved for the women's section, also split equally. The format for the Rapid World Championships remains unchanged: there will be 13 rounds in the Open section and 11 in the women's competition that will culminate in a playoff in case of a tie for first place. READ OUR CHESS COLUMN: Can chess force broadcasters to change the channel and put it on TV? Meanwhile, there is a new knockout format for the two-day Blitz World Championship. In 2024, FIDE had introduced a new knockout format for the blitz event. That has now been refined. Only the top four players from the Swiss stage of the tournament will advance directly to the knockout semifinals (previously, eight players in both competitions qualified for the knockout stage). READ OUR CHESS COLUMN: Why Vishy Anand prescribes a 'take it easy policy' for teenage world beaters 'The new format is an exciting mix of the Swiss system and knockout. The increased number of rounds in the qualifying part ensures that the strongest players will progress to the knockout. Also, the final match-up is ideally scheduled to suit audiences across all major chess hubs,' FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky said. 'We are very excited about the event, and have already started preparations to produce the best quality broadcast for millions of spectators,' Sutovsky added. The blitz schedule includes 19 Swiss rounds for the Open and 15 Swiss rounds for the Women, both played over two days, followed by semifinals and finals on December 30.
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First Post
06-05-2025
- Sport
- First Post
Top FIDE event in Kerala avoids repeat of Carlsen's 'jeansgate' scandal as Chief Arbiter lets players off the hook
Several competitors at the 1st Grandmaster International Open Chess Tournament were spotted playing in jeans, denim shorts, track pants and other forms of casual clothing, which is an unusual sight for FIDE events where dress rules normally require players to wear formals. read more The 1st Grandmaster International Open Chess Tournament is currently taking place in Kanjikuzhy in Kerala's Kottayam district. Reuters Kerala is currently hosting its biggest chess event in a long time with the 1st Grandmaster International Open Chess Tournament taking place in the town of Kanjikuzhy in Kottayam district. The event, however, might have witnessed a repeat of the 'Jeansgate' controversy involving Magnus Carlsen had the Chief Arbiter of the event not been as lenient. The event, a Level 3 FIDE tournament, features competitors from at least 13 countries with 16 Grandmasters in action. Armenian GM Karen Grigoryan, with a current Standard rating of 2530, is the top seed at the event. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Several competitors, however, were spotted playing in jeans, denim shorts, track pants and other forms of casual clothing, which is an unusual sight for FIDE events where dress rules normally require players to wear formals. Chief Arbiter lets players off the hook, willing to allow jeans Chief Arbiter Rathinam Anantharam decided against taking action in the opening round but instructed the players to wear appropriate attire for the remainder of the tournament, according to Onnanorama. Anantharam is willing to let players wear jeans but not shorts, track pants and other comfortable clothing. 'I let it go this time and told them to wear acceptable clothing from the next round onwards, and they agreed,' Anantharam told the news website. Carlsen had courted controversy during the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships in New York in December after showing up wearing a pair of jeans during the Rapid event. The world No 1 refused to heed to the Chief Arbiter's demand of changing his denims and putting on a pair of trousers right away, insisting he would do so the following day. Also Read | FIDE CEO rekindles memories of 'jeansgate scandal' while taking a fresh dig at Carlsen The standoff with FIDE led to Carlsen pulling out of the tournament midway, though he would return for the Blitz Championships where made headlines for the wrong reasons once again, this time for sharing the title with Russian Grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi.
