India set to host FIDE World Cup 2025
India is set to host the FIDE World Cup 2025, marking the country’s first major international chess tournament since the 2022 Chennai Chess Olympiad.
FIDE, the international chess governing body, initially listed India as the host in its 2025 calendar for the tournament scheduled from October 31 to November 27. However, the listing was briefly retracted and replaced with “to be announced” on Monday.
Despite this, sources in the All India Chess Federation (AICF) have confirmed to Sportstar that the hosting rights have been finalised. “India will host the FIDE World Cup 2025, and we will soon announce it officially with the final dates,” said a senior AICF official.
The FIDE World Cup, a prestigious knockout tournament featuring over 200 players, also serves as a pathway to the Candidates Tournament, with three qualification spots up for grabs.
India’s R. Praggnanandhaa made history in the 2023 edition, clinching the silver medal after losing to Magnus Carlsen in the final. Viswanathan Anand remains the only Indian to have won the World Cup, achieving back-to-back titles in 2000 and 2002 when the format included a round-robin stage.
Arjun Erigaisi narrowly missed qualifying for the Candidates 2026 through the FIDE Circuit ratings in 2024, losing out to Fabiano Caruana, who secured his spot as the top-rated player on the leaderboard.