FIDE Chess World Cup Returns To India After 23 Years

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After 23 years, the FIDE Chess World Cup is all set to make a return to India, marking a major milestone for Indian chess fans. The last time India hosted this prestigious tournament was in 2002, when Viswanathan Anand took home the trophy in Hyderabad. Now, the FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 will take place from October 30 to November 27, though the specific host city is yet to be announced.

FIDE Chess World Cup: A Legacy

The FIDE Chess World Cup is one of the toughest tournaments in chess, featuring a knockout format with 206 players from all over the world. Each round, players will face off in matches where only the winners move forward. The top three finishers at the World Cup will earn direct spots in the 2026 Candidates Tournament, which determines who gets to challenge for the World Chess Championship.

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The Official Announcement

Indian chess is enjoying a golden phase. The country will be represented by some of its brightest stars, including current world champion D Gukesh, 2023 World Cup runner-up R Praggnanandhaa, and world number five Arjun Erigaisi.

FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky said, “We are thrilled to bring the FIDE World Cup 2025 to India, a country with a deep-rooted passion and support for chess. Indian chess fans’ enthusiasm has always been remarkable, and we anticipate great interest in the event among local chess lovers, both on-site and online”.

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Will Magnus Carlsen Visit India?

The event will also feature major names from the chess world. World number one Magnus Carlsen, the defending champion, has qualified to participate in the FIDE Chess World Cup, but his participation is still uncertain at this point. If he plays, it will add another level of excitement as we get to see a potential Carlsen vs Indians clash.

India: A Chess Hub

It is worth noting that India has become a main hub for chess tournaments in recent years. The country recently hosted the 2022 Chess Olympiad, Tata Steel Chess India, the 2024 World Junior U20 Championships, and the 5th leg of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix. This return of the FIDE Chess World Cup signals India’s status as a global chess powerhouse.

For many young Indian players, this is a big opportunity to prove themselves on a world stage. After more than two decades, the World Cup’s return brings the spotlight back to Indian chess, giving fans and players a chance to experience world-class action without leaving the country. As FIDE puts it, chess in India is “back where it belongs”.

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Also Read: FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 Semi-Finals: It’s China vs India