Credit: X
India is all set to host the FIDE World Cup 2025 from October 30 to November 25. The competition will be played in a knockout format and 206 players will record their presence. In this format, every losing player will be evicted in each round. The top three finishers of the tournament will earn direct qualification for the 2026 Candidates Tournament, which will reveal the challenger for the World Chess Championship.
In the last few years, India has hosted several notable chess tournaments such as the FIDE Chess Olympiad 2022, Tata Steel Chess India, the FIDE World Junior U20 Championships 2024, and the 5th leg of the FIDE Women's Grand Prix. Taking to X, the International Chess Federation announced India getting the hosting rights of the marquee competition.
The International Chess Federation wrote, “FIDE World Cup 2025 to be hosted in India! The prestigious FIDE World Cup is coming to India this year! Scheduled for October 30 to November 27, 2025, the tournament will feature the world’s best players battling for the coveted title and qualification spots in the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament. Further details, including the announcement of the host city, will be released in due course.”
Expectations will be high from Indian chess trio
Eyes will be set on Indian chess trio Gukesh Dommaraju, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, and Arjun Erigaisi, who have performed exceptionally in the last few years and are striving their best to make India a powerful chess-playing nation.
World Champion and FIDE Deputy President Viswanathan Anand has established great influence in the chess world. His legacy and efforts have made India a potent force in the game. Now, these three players, among several others, are taking Anand's legacy ahead. In 2024, Gukesh and Erigaisi registered a historic achievement after pulling off their first-ever gold medals at the Chess Olympiad. They will be expected to put up solid shows in the upcoming marquee tournament as well.
