Indian Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi, along with Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Fabiano Caruana, is joint leader after Day 1 of the 2025 FIDE World Blitz Championship, with all three players scoring 10 points after 13 rounds.
The championship got underway in Doha on Monday, featuring a highly competitive Open section. Erigaisi delivered a stellar performance, highlighted by a dramatic win over former world champion Magnus Carlsen, who lost on time after his queen slipped from his hand during a tense endgame. Erigaisi’s only defeat of the day came against Jorden van Foreest.
Vachier-Lagrave recovered strongly from an early setback, while Caruana surged into contention with a powerful finish, including a crucial victory over Carlsen. The trio remained tied at the top after all three drew their final-round games.
Defending co-champions Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi are part of a strong chasing group on 9 points, with several rounds still to be played.
In the Women’s Blitz Championship, Eline Roebers emerged as the sole leader after Day 1 with 8.5 points from 10 rounds. She is followed closely by Aleksandra Goryachkina, Umida Omonova, and former world champion Antoaneta Stefanova, who are half a point behind.
The World Blitz Championship follows a Swiss format, with the top four players advancing to the knockout stage. The action resumes on Tuesday, December 30, as the world’s best battle for the blitz crown in Doha.
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