Archive · 3 Nov 2025
FIDE World Cup 2025 Returns to India with Record Players and New Trophy
The big FIDE World Cup chess tournament is happening in India again after 23 years!
Lots of players, 206 from 82 countries, are playing a knockout game format.
The winner gets a big prize of 2 million dollars.
The top three players also get a chance to play in another big tournament called the Candidates Tournament.
They even named the shiny new trophy after a famous Indian chess player, Viswanathan Anand!
Some players start later because they got a 'bye', while others have to play right away.
It's an exciting time for chess in India!
The FIDE World Cup 2025 has commenced in North Goa, India, marking its return after a 23-year hiatus.
A total of 206 players representing 82 countries are competing in this knockout-format chess tournament.
The event boasts a substantial prize fund of USD 2 million.
The top three finishers will secure qualification for the 2026 Candidates Tournament.
The FIDE World Cup trophy has been named the Viswanathan Anand Trophy, honoring the Indian chess legend.
- Who
- 206 players from 82 countries, including Indian players like Divya Deshmukh and Gukesh
- What
- The FIDE World Cup 2025, a major global chess event, has begun.
- When
- Starting November 1st, 2025 (Implied from existing summary)
- Where
- North Goa, India
- Why
- To compete in the FIDE World Cup, with top finishers qualifying for the 2026 Candidates Tournament.
Player Status
Match Importance
Round 1 Progression
Player Status
Some players, like Gukesh, received a bye and automatically advanced to the second round.
Match Importance
Other players, such as Divya Deshmukh, are in must-win situations in their Round 1 Game 2 matches.
- Event
- FIDE World Cup 2025
- Location
- North Goa, India
- Prize Fund
- USD 2 million
- Participants
- 206 players from 82 countries
- Qualification
- Top 3 finishers qualify for 2026 Candidates Tournament
- Trophy Name
- Viswanathan Anand Trophy
Sources
Chess World Cup 2025 Round 1 Live Updates: Divya Deshmukh In Action Among 16 Indians in Fray, Game 1 Begins
FIDE World Chess Cup trophy named after Viswanathan Anand
Sadhwani held for a draw by Barrish; Rojas holds Naryanan
World Chess Cup: Narayanan, Sadhwani held
FIDE World Cup Round 1, Game 1: 4 Wins, 7 Draws & 5 Losses; How Indians fared in opening round of Goa event
FIDE World Cup 2025: Pranav, Pranesh and Ganguly off to winning start; Divya Deshmukh goes down fighting
FIDE World Cup: Divya Deshmukh fighting for survival after loss in opening game; veteran Surya Shekhar Ganguly wins
Divya Deshmukh off to jittery start in FIDE World Cup, faces uphill task to avoid first-round exit
FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 LIVE Updates, Round 1 Game 2: Divya Deshmukh, SL Narayanan, Pranav V, Surya Shekhar Ganguly Today Match Result, Standings Latest Updates