Goa Hosts FIDE World Cup 2025, Trophy named after Viswanathan Anand
Goa hosts FIDE World Cup 2025, bringing together 206 players from 80 nations to compete for the Viswanathan Anand Trophy and a $2 million prize pool.
Goa Hosts FIDE World Cup 2025
The FIDE World Chess Cup 2025 officially began in Goa on Friday, marking a proud moment for Indian chess. The highlight of the opening was the unveiling of the Viswanathan Anand Trophy, named in honor of India’s first Grandmaster and five-time world champion. This global chess event brings together 206 players from 80 nations and will decide three qualifiers for the upcoming 2026 Candidates Tournament.
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Trophy honors India’s greatest chess icon
The glittering Viswanathan Anand Trophy was unveiled at a grand opening ceremony attended by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, and FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich. The trophy honors Anand’s unmatched contribution to the game of chess.
AICF President Nitin Narang described it as a “symbol of India’s chess revolution,” highlighting its peacock-inspired design that reflects grace and intellect. Narang added that the trophy stands as a tribute to Anand’s lasting legacy, motivating future generations of chess talents across the nation.
Tournament Format and Prize Details
The World Cup features a total prize pool of USD 2 million and is played in an eight-round knockout format using classical time controls. Each match includes two classical games, and if the score is tied, rapid and blitz tiebreakers are played on the third day.
The top 50 seeded players, including many of the world’s strongest grandmasters, automatically advance to round two, while 156 participants compete in round one, beginning on November 1. The top three players at the end of the event will earn coveted spots in the 2026 Candidates Tournament, bringing them one step closer to a shot at the World Chess Championship title.
Young Indian Chess Stars and Their Global Rivals
Leading India’s charge at the World Cup is reigning World Champion D. Gukesh, who enters the event as a second-round seed. Joining him are some of the country’s most promising young players – Arjun Erigaisi, R. Praggnanandhaa, Nihal Sarin, and Divya Deshmukh, the current Women’s World Cup champion and the only female participant in the open category.
The tournament also boasts a strong international lineup, featuring Germany’s Vincent Keymer, currently world No. 4, alongside elite grandmasters such as Anish Giri, Wesley So, and Levon Aronian, all aiming to make their mark on the global chess stage.
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Important Exam Facts
- The FIDE World Cup 2025 is being hosted in Goa, India.
- The championship trophy is named in honor of five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand.
- The event brings together 206 players from 80 countries and offers a total prize fund of USD 2 million.
- The top three players from this tournament will qualify for the 2026 Candidates Tournament, moving one step closer to the World Chess Championship.
India Welcomes the World Cup Once Again
India is hosting the FIDE World Cup for the first time since 2002, when the event was held in Hyderabad and Viswanathan Anand emerged victorious against Rustam Kasimdzhanov. Over two decades later, the nation has transformed into a global chess powerhouse, proudly producing a world champion, an Olympiad-winning team, and a rising generation of grandmasters.
The 2025 edition, featuring the prestigious “Viswanathan Anand Trophy”, marks a historic milestone in India’s sporting journey – celebrating both its rich legacy and its growing dominance in the world of chess.
Goa’s Role in Promoting Chess Tourism
Hosting the FIDE World Cup 2025 in Goa not only boosts India’s global chess reputation but also promotes sports tourism in the coastal state. The event attracts international players, fans, and media, giving Goa a chance to showcase its culture, hospitality, and growing interest in mind sports like chess.
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