India is all set to play host to the prestigious FIDE Chess World Cup 2025, marking another major milestone in the nation’s emergence as a global chess powerhouse. Scheduled from October 30 to November 27, the tournament will feature 206 of the world’s best players vying for a spot in the 2026 Candidates Tournament—the final battleground to determine the next challenger for the World Chess Championship crown.
India: The New Global Hub for Chess
Following the success of hosting the Chess Olympiad 2022, Tata Steel Chess India, the 2024 World Junior U20 Championships, and the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix, this mega event cements India’s position as a central figure in the evolving chess ecosystem.
“We are thrilled to bring the FIDE World Cup 2025 to India, a country with a deep-rooted passion and support for chess,” said FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky. “We anticipate great interest from fans both online and on-ground.”
What’s at Stake?
Top 3 finishers earn direct entry into the 2026 Candidates Tournament
Single-elimination format, with two classical games and a tie-break day in each round
Top 50 players get byes for Round 1, with others seeded from 51 to 206 in a knockout format
India’s Brightest Stars to Shine
India’s top chess talents—D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, among others—are expected to lead the home challenge, raising hopes for a historic performance on home soil.
Chess Boom in India
This World Cup comes at a time when chess is experiencing unprecedented popularity in India, driven by streaming, young prodigies, and consistent international performances.
As the world turns its eyes to India this October, the FIDE World Cup 2025 promises to be more than just a tournament—it’s a celebration of how far the game has come in the country, and how much farther it can go.
