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World Rapid and Blitz Opens Friday in Doha After Draw of Lots

A Doha press conference confirmed record participation plus top-board colours for the opener.

Overview

  • Play runs December 26–30 at the Qatar University Sports and Events Complex in Doha.
  • Organisers reported nearly 300 entrants across Open and Women’s sections with a prize fund exceeding €1,000,000.
  • The draw set top-board colours: Magnus Carlsen, the top seed in rapid and blitz, starts with White in Rapid and Black in Blitz.
  • Rapid uses a 13-round Swiss in the Open and 11 rounds in the Women’s at 15+10, with playoffs on December 28 if required.
  • Blitz features a Swiss qualifier followed by a four-player knockout final, with live coverage on Chessdom and FIDE’s YouTube channel.