NEW DELHI: Goa will host the FIDE World Cup from October 30 to November 27, providing three coveted spots for subsequent yr’s Candidates Tournament and a prize pool of USD 2 million. The 206-player discipline options reigning world champion D Gukesh, Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, and R Praggnanandhaa. Since Gukesh is already world champion, he is not a part of the Candidates qualification race, and his participation will doubtless be restricted to prize cash and ranking factors.India could have a powerful presence with 21 gamers on the entry record, together with five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, who certified through the June 2025 FIDE ranking record. However, given his absence from classical chess in current years, his participation is unsure.The World Cup returns to India after 23 years, final held in Hyderabad in 2002, the place Anand lifted the trophy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed its return, saying: “India is delighted to be hosting the prestigious FIDE World Cup 2025 and that too after over two decades. Chess is gaining popularity among our youth. I am sure this tournament will witness thrilling matches and showcase the brilliance of top players from around the world.”Indian chess has grown considerably since then, with the hosts now fielding a a lot stronger base, led by the likes of Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, and Nihal Sarin.The event will comply with a two-game knockout format over eight rounds. Each spherical could have two classical video games, with speedy and blitz playoffs in case of a tie. The top-50 seeds will obtain byes into the second spherical, whereas gamers ranked 51 to 206 will contest the opening spherical on the idea of top-half versus bottom-half pairings.“Every round is win-or-go-home, making the World Cup one of the most dramatic tournaments on the calendar,” FIDE stated in a press release.FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich added: “India has become one of the strongest chess nations, with outstanding players and passionate fans. After the success of the FIDE Women’s World Cup held in Georgia earlier this year, we are proud to bring the FIDE World Cup to Goa. It will be a celebration of chess, and a unique experience for players and spectators from around the world. Representatives from over 90 countries are expected to participate, making it one of the most followed events in chess history.”AICF president Nitin Narang stated: “The World Cup will not only inspire millions across the country but also showcase India’s growing stature as a global hub for chess.”
