The first day of the FIDE World Rapid Championship in Doha has concluded. After five rounds, five players share the lead with 4.5 points each, with Magnus Carlsen leading on tiebreaks.

GM Alireza Firouzja drew against 59-year-old Bangladeshi GM Niyaz Murshid and finished the day with 3.0 points, placing 96th. 12-year-old FM Sergey Sklokin won his opening game against GM Max Warmerdam in 31 moves.

The current standings are:

1. GM Magnus Carlsen – 4.5 points (TB: 15)

2. GM Arjun Erigaisi – 4.5 points (TB: 14.5)

3. GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave – 4.5 points (TB: 13.5)

4. GM Vladislav Artemiev – 4.5 points (TB: 13)

5. GM Gukesh Dommaraju – 4.5 points (TB: 12)

The FIDE World Rapid Championship 2025 takes place in Doha, Qatar from December 26 to 28. The event features a €500,000 prize pool, with the Open and Women’s tournaments using a 15+10 time control over 13 and 11 rounds respectively.