India is set to host the prestigious FIDE Chess World Cup from October 30 to November 27, 2025. This marks a significant moment for the nation, solidifying its growing influence in the world of chess. The event will feature 206 players competing for the coveted title and qualification spots in the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament. The host city is yet to be announced.

The tournament will follow a knockout format, a dynamic system where the losing player in each round is eliminated. Since 2021, the event has adhered to a single-elimination format. Each round will span three days, consisting of two classical games on the first two days, followed by tie-breaks on the third day if required. In the first round, the top 50 players will receive byes, while players seeded from 51 to 206 will compete, with pairings based on the principle of the top half versus the reversed lower half.

The stakes are high, as the top three finishers of the 2025 World Cup will directly qualify for the 2026 Candidates Tournament, which determines the challenger for the World Chess Championship.

Players can qualify for the World Cup through various paths, including: * Reigning World Champion as of June 1, 2025 * Top four finishers from the FIDE World Cup 2023 * Reigning Women's World Champion as of June 1, 2025 * 2024 World Junior Champion U-20 * Qualifiers from Continental events * Top players from the FIDE standard rating list in June 2025

Several Indian chess stars are expected to participate, including D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa (the runner-up of the 2023 World Cup), and Arjun Erigaisi. World number one Magnus Carlsen, who won the 2023 World Cup, has also qualified.

India has been actively hosting major chess events, including the 2022 Chess Olympiad, Tata Steel Chess India, the 2024 World Junior U20 Championships, and a leg of the FIDE Women's Grand Prix.

FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky expressed his excitement about bringing the World Cup to India, acknowledging the country's passion for chess and anticipating great interest from local chess enthusiasts. This event marks the first time in 23 years that India has hosted the Chess World Cup. India last hosted the event in 2002 in Hyderabad, where Viswanathan Anand won the title.

Hosting the FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 is expected to promote chess at the grassroots level in India and inspire future generations of players. This event provides an opportunity for emerging Indian talents to showcase their skills on home soil.