India is set to host the FIDE World Cup from October 30 to November 27, 2025. This exciting announcement was made by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) on July 21. The specific host city for the tournament will be revealed in the coming months.
The Chess World Cup is a prestigious event that will feature 206 players from around the globe, all competing for the championship title. The top three finishers will also earn spots in the 2026 Candidates Tournament, which is critical for those who aspire to challenge for the World Chess Championship.
India last hosted the World Cup in 2002 in Hyderabad. At that time, Viswanathan Anand, a renowned chess player, won the title. Since then, India has become a significant player in the chess world, producing many talented players.
The format of the tournament will be knockout, meaning that players who lose in each round will be eliminated. FIDE has adopted this single-elimination format since 2021. Each round of the tournament will last three days. The first two days will involve classical games, and if necessary, tie-breaks will be held on the third day.
In the first round, the top 50 players will receive byes. This means they will not have to play in the first round. The other players, seeded from 51 to 206, will compete against each other. The pairings will be made so that the top half of the seeds faces the reversed lower half.
Among the notable players expected to participate are D Gukesh, the reigning world champion, R Praggnanandhaa, who was the runner-up in the 2023 World Cup, and Arjun Erigaisi, currently ranked as the world number five. The world number one, Magnus Carlsen, who won the previous edition, has also qualified for this event.
FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky expressed excitement about hosting the event in India. He highlighted the country’s strong passion for chess and noted that Indian chess fans have always shown remarkable enthusiasm. “We anticipate great interest in the event among local chess lovers, both on-site and online,” he said.
India has recently hosted several major chess events, including the 2022 Chess Olympiad and the 2024 World Junior U20 Championships. These events have further established India’s reputation as a global chess hub.
The FIDE World Cup 2025 will not only showcase the best talent in chess but will also bring together fans from around the world. It promises to be an exciting time for chess enthusiasts in India and beyond. With India’s growing influence in the chess world, this tournament is set to be a landmark occasion for the sport in the country. The event will be a thrilling showcase of global excellence in chess, marking a significant chapter in India’s chess history.