Carlsen bests Abdusattorov in the Finals to clinch World Blitz 2025, Bronze for Arjun Erigaisi
02/01/2026 - Magnus Carlsen (NOR) defeated Nodirbek Abdusattorov (UZB) 2.5-1.5 in the Finals to retain his World Blitz title. This was his ninth FIDE World Blitz crown, making it his overall 20th World title. Arjun Erigaisi topped Stage 1, also known as Swiss-League stage, scoring 15/19 and finishing a full point ahead of the rest. Arjun lost to Abdusattorov in the Semifinals by 0.5-2.5. Fabiano Caruana (USA) suffered 1-3 loss against the eventual champion, Carlsen. Thus, both Arjun and Caruana won a Bronze each. Arjun became only the second Indian after Vishy Anand to win a medal in both World Rapid and Blitz events of the same year. GM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) defeated GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) by 2.5-1.5 to clinch Gold in the Women's. Thus, she became FIDE World Blitz Women's champion for the third time. The reigning World Junior Girls Blitz 2025 champion, IM Eline Roebers (NED) lost to Anna in the Semifinals. Eline and GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) won a Bronze medal each. This marked Eline's impressive debut at the event as she was the only IM to win a medal at this year's World Blitz Rapid and Blitz events combining Open and Women. Photo: IA NI Vivek Sohani