'Chess Is Gaining Popularity': PM Modi Celebrates Goa Hosting 2025 FIDE World Cup

Last Updated:August 26, 2025, 23:31 IST

Goa will host FIDE World Cup from October 30 to November 27, featuring stars like D Gukesh, Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand, marking its return to India after 23 years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi (File)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to celebrate Goa being announced as hosts for the FIDE World Cup on Tuesday.

“India is delighted to be hosting the prestigious FIDE World Cup 2025 and that too after over two decades. Chess is gaining popularity among our youth. I am sure this tournament will witness thrilling matches and showcase the brilliance of top players from around the world," he posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Where Will 2025 Chess World Cup Be Held?

The FIDE World Cup will be held from October 30 to November 27 in Goa and will offer three coveted berths for next year’s Candidates and a prize pool of USD 2 million.

The 206-member field includes world champions D Gukesh, Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, and R Praggnanandhaa, among others.

However, the reigning world champion Gukesh is not part of the Candidates qualification race, so it remains to be seen if he competes for prize money and rating points.

Hosts India have 21 players on the entry list, including reigning five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, who has qualified via the June 2025 FIDE rating list.

Given that Anand has not played classical chess for a while, his participation also remains uncertain.

The tournament returns to India after 23 years, the last being in Hyderabad in 2002 when Anand lifted the trophy.

Indian chess has grown significantly since then, and the hosts will have a much stronger base this time, with players like Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, and Nihal Sarin among the qualified participants.

The tournament will be played in a two-game knockout format over eight rounds. There will be two classical games, with rapid and blitz playoffs if tied.

The top 50 seeds will enter from round two, receiving byes in the first round, while players ranked from 51 to 206 will compete based on pairings that match the top half against the bottom half.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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...

Read More

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First Published:

August 26, 2025, 23:31 IST

News sports 'Chess Is Gaining Popularity': PM Modi Celebrates Goa Hosting 2025 FIDE World Cup

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