PANAJI
Goa is all set to host the FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 from October 31 to November 27, 2025. The nearly month-long event which will be held at the luxurious Rio Resort in Arpora, Bardez event will feature 206 players representing 82 countries, battling it out in a high-stakes knock-out format for a total prize money of $2 million.
The winner of the World Cup will not only take home the championship title but also secure one of three coveted spots in the 2026 Candidates Tournament, the penultimate stage leading to the World Chess Championship.
The prestigious tournament returns to the Indian soil after a gap of 23 years. The last Chess World Cup held in India was in 2002 at Hyderabad. The return of the World Cup to India underlines the nation’s growing influence and passion for chess, especially after recent global successes of its young grandmasters.
Some of the biggest names in world chess, including Gukesh D, Praggnanandhaa R, Arjun Erigaisi, Vincent Keymer, Hans Niemann, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Anish Giri, Wesley So, Richard Rapport, Vidit Gujrathi, Nihal Sarin will battle it out for the prestigious title.
The tournament will also feature Faustino Oro, the 12-year-old Argentinian prodigy, who will make history as the youngest participant in the 2025 edition. India’s young rising star Divya Deshmukh joins the Open Section via a wildcard entry, following a last-minute withdrawal by another participant.
Legendary Vishwanathan Anand has been winners twice – 2000 and 2002 – at the Chess World Cup while chess prodigy Praggnanandhaa R was runners-up during last edition in 2023.
While inaugurating the logo and anthem launch of the event at a function held at Indoor Stadium, Campal, Goa Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant said, “After 23 years, hosting the Chess World Cup is a proud moment for Goa and India. The event will take Goa onto global level and also boost sports and tourism in the state. This will in the long run encourage new chess talent from Goa.”
In fact, Goa has a vibrant chess culture. Despite, being a tiny state, with a population of nearly about 16 lakhs, the state has produced 2 Chess Grand Master (Anurag Mhamal and Leon Mendonca) and a Woman Grand Master (Bhakti Kulkarni). Besides that, Goa has also produced five International Master (IM) - Ameya Audi, Rohan Ahuja, Nitish Belurkar, Ritviz Parab and Ethan Vaz. High Human Development Index is one of the reasons which has resulted in a lot of quality chess players being produced in Goa.
