India Set To Host FIDE Chess World Cup Again After 23-Year Hiatus

India is set to welcome the chess world back after over two decades, as it has officially been named the host of the 2025 FIDE Chess World Cup, scheduled to run from October 30 to November 27. This marks the country's first time hosting the prestigious tournament in 23 years, a significant moment for Indian chess and global enthusiasts alike.

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) confirmed the development, revealing that 206 players will participate in the mega event. The tournament will follow a knockout format, where each round eliminates one competitor until a final winner is crowned.

Tournament Format

The World Cup will be played over eight rounds, with each round consisting of two games. If needed, tie-breaks will be held on the third day of each round. Players will have 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 additional minutes for the remainder of the game. A 30-second increment per move will be added throughout.

As per the current structure introduced in 2021, the top 50 players will receive byes in the first round. The rest, ranked 51 to 206, will compete in the opening stage, with pairings based on the top half vs. bottom half system.

Path to the 2026 Candidates Tournament

The stakes at the World Cup are high. The top three finishers will earn direct qualification to the 2026 Candidates Tournament.

Who Qualifies?

The qualification paths to this year’s Chess World Cup include:

Reigning World Champion as of June 1, 2025

Top four finishers from the 2023 FIDE World Cup

Reigning Women’s World Champion as of June 1, 2025

2024 World Junior Champion (U20)

Top-rated players from the FIDE Standard Rating List (June 2025)

India’s hosting of the tournament highlights the country’s growing presence and investment in the world of chess, especially after producing talents like Viswanathan Anand, R Praggnanandhaa, and D Gukesh, who have put Indian chess on the global map in recent years.

As the countdown to October begins, anticipation is already building around what promises to be one of the most competitive and globally watched editions of the FIDE World Cup.