Samarkand to Host the 2025 World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has officially announced that the 2025 World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships will be held in Samarkand, one of the oldest and most historic cities in Uzbekistan. The tournament is scheduled for December, with a total prize fund of $1 million.

This will be the first time Samarkand hosts such a prestigious chess event. The city was chosen in recognition of Uzbekistan’s rapid rise as a chess powerhouse in recent years, fueled by the success of players like Nodirbek Abdusattorov — who, in 2021, became the youngest ever Rapid World Champion.

What can participants and fans expect? Organizers promise exciting games, a rich cultural program, and state-of-the-art playing conditions. The tournament will bring together the world’s top grandmasters, including reigning Rapid Champion Magnus Carlsen, current classical World Champion Ding Liren, and other global chess stars.

Hosting the championship in Samarkand underscores the growing influence of chess in Central Asia and FIDE’s commitment to expanding the game into new regions. The event is expected to be one of the chess highlights of 2025.