FIDE World Chess Cup Unveils Viswanathan Anand Trophy In King Of Chess's Honour

Last Updated:October 31, 2025, 20:36 IST

The FIDE World Chess Cup in Goa unveils the Viswanathan Anand Trophy, honouring the Indian legend.

FIDE World Chess Cup Trophy named in honour of Chess legend Viswanathan Anand (PTI and X

The new trophy for the FIDE World Chess Cup, currently being held here, was christened on Friday as the Viswanathan Anand Trophy, honouring the five-time world champion and Indian chess legend.

The trophy was unveiled during a vibrant opening ceremony attended by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, and FIDE chief Arkady Dvorkovich.

“Extremely proud and delighted to announce the Viswanathan Anand Cup, the FIDE World Cup (Open) Winner’s Running Trophy, instituted in honour of the King of Chess and India’s first Grandmaster, Shri Viswanathan Anand," All India Chess Federation (AICF) President Nitin Narang said.

“This running trophy stands as an emblem of the great strides of Indian chess and the remarkable achievements and legacy of @vishy64theking, destined to be cherished and extolled for centuries and passing through generations of chess prodigies.

“Majestic, magnificent and deeply symbolic in design, it features a peacock (National Bird of India) in a frozen dancing form a vision so captivating that it rekindles the timeless charm of the game," he wrote on ‘X’.

World Women Chess Cup title holder Divya Deshmukh conducted the draw of lots. All odd numbers in round 1 will play with the black pieces.

The USD 2 million prize money tournament will feature 206 players from 80 countries in eight knockout rounds of classical games. The FIDE World Cup 2025 will award three spots to the Candidates 2026, the gateway to the next World Championship match.

The World Cup will follow an eight-round, single-elimination knockout format, with each match consisting of two classical games played under standard time controls. If tied, players will return on the third day for a series of rapid and blitz tie-breaks to decide who advances.

The top 50 seeds, including many of the world’s highest-rated grandmasters, receive byes into the second round, while the remaining 156 competitors begin their campaigns on November 1. Reigning world champion, India’s D Gukesh, has been seeded straight into round two.

This is the first time since 2002 that the FIDE World Cup is being held in India. On that occasion, Anand defeated Rustam Kasimdzhanov in the final in Hyderabad.

More than two decades later, India boasts a young world champion in Gukesh, Olympiad team titles in both the Open and women’s sections, and Divya Deshmukh, the current Women’s World Cup winner and the only female participant in this year’s World Cup. Additionally, rising stars like Arjun Erigaisi, R. Praggnanandhaa, and Nihal Sarin will be in action.

Among the international contenders, Germany’s Vincent Keymer, ranked world No. 4 on the live rating list, has gained 18 rating points across the European Club Cup and European Team Championship. Another favourite is Anish Giri, the recent Samarkand Grand Swiss winner, who enters the World Cup in superb form and with his Candidates qualification already secured. The American duo of Wesley So and Levon Aronian will also be significant threats. So arrives in Goa after a second-place finish at the U.S. Championship, while Aronian, the 2017 World Cup winner, has had a good year, amassing multiple titles.

As per the latest FIDE rating list, 22 players are rated 2700 or higher, ensuring the event features the absolute elite of world chess.

(With inputs from PTI)

Ritayan Basu

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin...Read More

Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes cricket content, havin...

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