The FIDE Chess World Cup will be held in Goa from October 30th to November 27th this year. In this prestigious tournament, not only will a prize pool of $2 million be at stake, but three important spots will also be determined for next year's Candidates Tournament.
Sports News: India is going to host the Chess World Cup after 23 years. This prestigious tournament will be held in Goa from October 30th to November 27th this year. This event will not only feature the world's top chess players, but the tournament will also offer three places for next year's Candidates Tournament and a prize pool of US$2 million.
A total of 206 players will participate in this world-class competition, including World Champion D. Gukesh, world number one Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, and India's young superstar R. Praggnanandhaa. However, current World Champion Gukesh will not participate in the Candidates qualification, so it remains to be seen whether he will play only for prize money and rating points.
India's Domination of Chess Talent
The host team, India, is considered to be the best in this tournament. 21 Indian players are included in the entry list, including five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand. Anand has gained direct entry through the June 2025 FIDE rating list. However, he has played less classical chess recently, making his presence still uncertain.
This tournament is a moment of pride for Indian chess. India last hosted the World Cup in Hyderabad in 2002, and Anand made the country proud by winning the title at that time. Since then, Indian chess has made steady progress, and the presence of young stars like Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, and Nihal Sarin has further strengthened India's claim.
Chess World Cup Competition Format and Rules
Matches in the FIDE World Cup will be held in an eight-round knockout format. Each match will have two classical games. If both games end in a draw, the winner will be decided through rapid and blitz playoffs. The top 50 seeded players will directly enter the second round, while the remaining players will participate in the first round.
FIDE has announced that the tournament will be played under the "win or go home" rule, making it the most dramatic event on the world chess calendar. FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich said, "India has now become one of the best chess-playing countries. This will be a unique experience for players and enthusiastic fans."
The decision to bring the FIDE World Cup to Goa is of particular importance after the success of the FIDE Women's World Cup in Georgia earlier this year. Dvorkovich described it as a "celebration of chess," saying that the tournament will be a memorable experience for players and spectators around the world.
