Magnus Carlsen makes brilliant comeback to win World Blitz title in tense final: 'One of the hardest events'

Magnus Carlsen once again showed why he is considered one of the greatest players in chess history as he produced a stunning comeback to win the FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship 2025 in Doha, just days after lifting the World Rapid title.

Carlsen clinched his 20th world championship crown by defeating Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov 2.5-1.5 in the final. The Norwegian star lost the first game of the match, but responded strongly to win the second game and then sealed the title with a crucial victory with the black pieces in Game 4.

9th World Blitz title.
20th in total 🤯

Congratulations Magnus!

🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆#RapidBlitz #NorwayChess pic.twitter.com/UYvTdPZlF0

— Norway Chess (@NorwayChess) December 30, 2025

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The triumph capped a remarkable turnaround for Carlsen, who had endured a difficult phase earlier in the tournament. Earlier in the day, he suffered another setback when he had to forfeit a game to Armenian grandmaster Haik Martirosyan after fumbling with the pieces under pressure. Despite the rough start, Carlsen bounced back when it mattered most.

Carlsen: ‘Probably one of the very hardest events’

In the semifinals, the nine-time World Blitz champion defeated American grandmaster Fabiano Caruana 3-1 to book his place in the finals.

Speaking on his victory, Carlsen rated it as one of the best in one of the “very hardest” events.

“Feels very good. Probably one of the very hardest events. (on being stressed after losing a match on forfeit) No, I was mostly concerned about what I was doing then,” Carlsen said.

On the pressure in the final, Carlsen said that losing the first game to Abdusattorov didn’t disturb him as he was confident in his game.

(On how he recovered) At first, it was really really tough. Once I got into knockouts, weights completely dropped off my shoulders. I was making many mistakes here as well, but it felt a lot more manageable. Of course, I went down in the final and it could have gone either way, but at that point, I felt I was playing alright. I am in a great position; regardless of what happens, I am happy."

Erigaisi celebrates a double too

While Carlsen celebrated another historic double, India’s Arjun Erigaisi also had plenty to be proud of as he secured a double of his own. Erigaisi produced a brilliant performance throughout the championship, finishing with a bronze medal in the Blitz event to go along with the bronze he won in the Rapid section earlier.

Erigaisi dominated the qualification stages, emerging as the sole leader on day one with 10 points from 13 games after defeating several top players, including Carlsen and Abdusattorov. He carried that momentum into day two, winning four games and drawing two to finish with 15 points and comfortably qualify for the knockouts.

However, his title challenge ended in the semifinals, where he lost 2.5-0.5 to Abdusattorov. Caruana also took the bronze medal despite finishing second in the final standings of the Blitz section after Erigaisi.

Meanwhile, Kazakhstani chess grandmaster Bibisara Assaubayeva won her third World Blitz title at the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Blitz Chess Championship. She beat two-time champion Anna Muzychuk 2.5-1.5 in the final to lift the trophy once again.