A chemical mechanical polishing composition for polishing a substrate having a tungsten layer includes a water based liquid carrier, first and second colloidal silica abrasives dispersed in the liquid carrier, and an iron containing accelerator. The first colloidal silica abrasive and the second colloidal silica abrasive each have a permanent positive charge of at least 10 mV. An average particle size of the second silica abrasive is at least 20 nanometers greater than an average particle size of the first silica abrasive. A method for chemical mechanical polishing a substrate including a tungsten layer is further disclosed. The method may include contacting the substrate with the above described polishing composition, moving the polishing composition relative to the substrate, and abrading the substrate to remove a portion of the tungsten from the substrate and thereby polish the substrate.