Alireza Firouzja’s Dramatic Last-Minute Entry Shakes Up Doha World Rapid & Blitz

In a stunning twist ahead of the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships in Doha, Qatar, Alireza Firouzja has made a late entry into the event, electrifying the field just days before the December 25-30 tournament kicks off. The French grandmaster, fresh off an extraordinary performance in the Global Chess League where he dominated with a blistering streak of wins against top players like Fabiano Caruana, D Gukesh, Hikaru Nakamura, Viswanathan Anand, and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, arrives as the #4 seed in rapid and #2 in blitz. His decision to participate—after earlier indications he would skip the event—adds massive intrigue to an already stacked lineup featuring Magnus Carlsen and reigning world champion Gukesh.

Firouzja’s hot form in the GCL, where he led his team with near-perfect results in the rapid format, positions him as a serious threat to Carlsen’s dominance in speed chess. While the Norwegian remains the favourite, Firouzja’s arrival makes Carlsen’s path to another title far more challenging—and yes, perhaps a little more miserable for the king of rapid and blitz. The chess world is bustling with anticipation for what promises to be a thrilling showdown in Doha.

Photo: FIDE