Overview
- The five‑day championships began today at Qatar University’s Sports and Events Complex in Doha and run December 26–30 with a prize fund exceeding €1,000,000.
- The Rapid section is underway through December 28 as a 13‑round Swiss at a 15+10 time control, with playoffs if required, and the Blitz follows on December 29–30.
- Organisers expanded the Blitz qualifier to 19 Swiss rounds and trimmed the final to a four‑player knockout, a format change welcomed by leading players including Magnus Carlsen.
- Participation set a record with 251 players in Open Rapid, 254 in Open Blitz, and about 142 competitors across the women’s events.
- World number one Magnus Carlsen, the top seed in both disciplines, said he is “here to win,” and official live coverage is streaming on FIDE’s YouTube and Twitch channels.