FIDE Chess World Cup: PM Narendra Modi delighted to host event in India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that India was delighted to host the prestigious FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 after more than two decades. Taking to X, Modi expressed his joy in a brief message. The Chess World Cup returns to India after over two decades. The last time India hosted the tournament was way back in 2002, with Viswanathan Anand emerging as the champion.

India currently has several top players in the country who could challenge for the title. The tournament offers three positions in next year's Candidates Tournament, which offers the coveted place of the challenger in the World Chess Championship.

PM Modi said on X that chess is gaining popularity among the youth and expressed confidence that the tournament will witness thrilling matches and showcase the brilliance of top players from around the world.

He said, "India is delighted to be hosting the prestigious FIDE World Cup 2025 and that too after over two decades." Goa will host the FIDE World Cup from October 30 to November 27, a tournament offering three coveted berths for next year's Candidates and a prize purse of USD two million.

The FIDE World Cup field features world champion D Gukesh, Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana and R Praggnanandhaa, among others.

A total of 206 participants are set to battle in one of chess’s most intense knockout showdowns, with a massive USD 2,000,000 prize fund on the line. Known for its unforgiving win-or-go-home format, the World Cup continues to be among the sport’s most riveting spectacles.

The tournament will unfold over eight rounds of knockout drama, pushing players to the limits of skill, endurance, and composure. Following tradition, the top 50 seeds will bypass the opening round, while the remaining competitors begin their journey from Round 1. Each clash will be contested over two classical games, preserving the essence of long-format chess, with rapid and blitz tiebreakers waiting should scores remain level.

On India being the host of the World Cup, Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE President, said, “India has become one of the strongest chess nations, with outstanding players and passionate fans. After the success of the FIDE Women’s World Cup held in Georgia earlier this year, we are proud to bring the FIDE World Cup to Goa.”

“It will be a celebration of chess, and a unique experience for players and spectators from around the world. The representatives of 90+ countries are expected to take part, and it will be one of the most followed events in chess history.”