India, Dec. 31 -- How is Magnus in the final? In chat rooms across the world, on tv screens, on cellphones and laptops, this was the one question that was trending. The Norwegian world No.1 is used to creating something out of nothing but even by his exalted standard, a march to the final of the World Blitz seemed like a bridge too far.

But when it comes to the 35-year-old, never say never. It is something he has proven time and again and did that once more on Tuesday by beating all comers to win the World Blitz crown in Doha. It was his ninth World Blitz title, and the fifth time (2014, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2025) he has won the Rapid and Blitz titles in the same year.

Uzbekistan's Nodirbek Abdusattorov finished runner-up while India's Arj...