The FIDE World Cup 2025 was expected to be an absolute blockbuster. But if you glanced at the player list, you’d notice one huge absence: the legendary Big Three of modern-day chess, Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, and Hikaru Nakamura. Yes, the top dogs who usually rule the chessboard aren’t taking their spots this time, and fans everywhere are wondering why. So, buckle up, because here’s why these chess giants are missing from Goa’s grand stage.
Why Aren’t The Big Three In The FIDE World Cup 2025?
Let’s start with the king of chess himself, Magnus Carlsen. The Norwegian magician has been the face of chess for over a decade. But in recent years, he’s made some surprising moves off the board. Carlsen has pretty much retired from classical chess tournaments like the World Cup and the Candidates Tournament. Why? Well, it’s a mix of motivation and vibe. Carlsen himself admitted he’s “done” with traditional classical chess cycles.
He’s been more invested in faster formats and is digging the world of esports chess, including freestyle chess, where the rules get a fresh twist, and the action flows faster. Plus, Carlsen’s relationship with FIDE, the chess organising body, has seen better days. There have been tussles over dress codes (yes, jeans at a formal event was a thing) and disagreements about the future of classical chess. So, the FIDE World Cup 2025 is missing its reigning champ, but Carlsen is still killing it in esports and faster chess events, recently snagging titles like the Esports World Cup 2025 and 2025 Clutch Chess Champions Showdown.
What about Fabiano Caruana? The American has been grinding hard, but after a good, long run in the classical chess circuit, he’s taken a breather. Caruana openly talked about exhaustion and needing a mental reset. Four tournaments back-to-back left him drained, and he said quite simply, he couldn’t bring himself to look at chess for a while. It’s a relatable move; even rock stars need to pause and recharge. So, Caruana decided to skip the hectic FIDE World Cup 2025 schedule this time around.
Then we have Hikaru Nakamura, the crowd favourite who’s got one foot in classical and the other in online chess stardom. Nakamura’s passion lies heavily in instant chess and streaming, where he’s built a massive fanbase. His focus on rapid-fire chess formats and content creation has made him a different kind of chess celebrity, one who’s not as hooked on the classical grind. With the FIDE World Cup 2025 demanding intense preparation and classical stamina, Nakamura’s absence makes sense since his sights are set on other exciting opportunities.
Read More
So there you have it, the Big Three aren’t ghosting the chess world; they’re just switching lanes. But the chess world is evolving, and while the absence of these giants is felt, the energy on the board is alive and with new raw talent. Goa’s event might just be the stage where the next generation carves its own legacy, so stay tuned!
Also read:Wild Card Divya Deshmukh Exits From FIDE World Cup 2025
