“India is not just the ancient home of chess; it is a global modern powerhouse. This World Cup is being held here because India is now a central pillar in the global structure of our sport. For the next four weeks, Goa will not just be a coastal paradise; it will be the Colosseum of Chess. This is where legends are forged and broken, and new champions born – a process that has been dramatically enriched by the incredible new generation of Indian stars,” said Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE President
The structure of the World Cup is unique within elite chess. It’s an eight-round, single-elimination knockout event, where each match consists of two classical games played under standard time controls. If the score is tied after those, the players return on the third day for a series of rapid and blitz tie-breaks to decide who advances.
The top 50 seeds — comprising many of the world’s highest-rated grandmasters — receive byes into the second round, while the remaining 156 competitors begin their campaigns on the afternoon of November 1st. All games will take place in the Resort Rio, Goa’s largest convention hall and a five-star luxury venue just moments from Baga Beach, offering a fittingly grand stage for one of the most prestigious tournaments on the chess calendar.
“I’m really excited and looking forward to playing in the World Cup. Anywhere in India is great of course, but I have some nice memories of Goa as I played some junior events there,” declared Gukesh D, current World Champion, one of the favourites, seeded straight into round two.
For the first time since 2002, the FIDE World Cup returns to Indian soil. On that occasion, Viswanathan Anand, the legend from Chennai, defeated Rustam Kasimdzhanov in the two-game final held in Hyderabad, a victory that helped cement India’s emergence as a major force in world chess.
More than two decades later, India hosts the event from a position of unprecedented strength. The country now boasts D. Gukesh, the reigning World Champion; Olympiad team titles in both the Open and Women’s sections; and Divya Deshmukh, the current Women’s World Cup winner and the only female participant in this year’s World Cup. Add to that a remarkable generation of rising stars — Arjun Erigaisi, R. Praggnanandhaa, Nihal Sarin, and others — and India’s chess renaissance will be on full display in Goa.
For the first time since 2002, the FIDE World Cup returns to Indian soil. On that occasion, Viswanathan Anand, the legend from Chennai, defeated Rustam Kasimdzhanov in the two-game final held in Hyderabad, a victory that helped cement India’s emergence as a major force in world chess.
More than two decades later, India hosts the event from a position of unprecedented strength. The country now boasts D. Gukesh, the reigning World Champion; Olympiad team titles in both the Open and Women’s sections; and Divya Deshmukh, the current Women’s World Cup winner and the only female participant in this year’s World Cup. Add to that a remarkable generation of rising stars — Arjun Erigaisi, R. Praggnanandhaa, Nihal Sarin, and others — and India’s chess renaissance will be on full display in Goa.
At the top of the starting list stand the three Indian superstars, who will be playing on home soil and must be considered the main favourites for the title. Top seed D. Gukesh (picture) arrives in Goa in scintillating form, fresh from a 2927 performance at the European Team Championship, where he won gold on board one and played a decisive role in his team’s overall victory. Arjun Erigaisi, though dropping a few rating points in the same event, has been one of the most consistent elite players this year and will be eager to reaffirm his status among the very best.
Meanwhile, R. Praggnanandhaa opted to skip the European Teams altogether, choosing instead to rest and prepare after a demanding Grand Chess Tour final in Brazil, ensuring he comes to Goa fully recharged.
Among the international contenders, Germany’s Vincent Keymer (picture) stands out as a major threat. Currently world number four on the live rating list, he gained 18 rating points across the European Club Cup and European Team Championship, where he secured silver on board one, just behind Gukesh.
Another clear favourite is Anish Giri, the recent Samarkand Grand Swiss winner. In superb form and with his Candidates qualification already secured, Giri enters the World Cup relaxed but motivated — looking to extend his streak after taking bronze at the European Team Championship.
“I’m looking forward to playing the World Cup. It’s a great event and a lot of fun. I’ve played a lot of them, and I was actually very near to qualifying once. Although I played very well that year, I still remember losing a semi-final to Peter Svidler. It’s definitely a very tricky qualification path,” Giri said, after winning in Uzbekistan.
The American duo of Wesley So and Levon Aronian can never be ruled out in an event of this nature. Wesley So arrives in Goa on the back of a second-place finish at the U.S. Championship, completing an eleven-game unbeaten run. Renowned for his composure and strength in rapid and blitz formats, So’s consistency and knockout experience make him a formidable contender.
Levon Aronian, the 2017 World Cup winner, has also enjoyed a resurgent 2025, collecting multiple titles in prestigious events and finishing third — also unbeaten — at the U.S. Championship. Few players in the field can match his combination of creativity, resilience, and experience under pressure.
Among other 2700+ players to watch are China’s Wei Yi, India’s Nihal Sarin, and Hungary’s Richard Rapport. All three have delivered impressive performances in recent months, with Wei Yi continuing his steady return to top form, Nihal showing growing maturity and consistency on the elite stage, and Rapport producing dynamic results throughout October.
Each will be eager to make a deep run and claim one of the three coveted qualification spots for the 2026 Candidates Tournament.
With such a large field, some strong players will begin their campaigns early and face stiff opposition right from Round One, while the top seeds will enter in Round Two. Excelling in classical chess remains essential, but in this knockout format, tie-breaks — rapid and blitz games played under intense pressure — often determine who advances in tightly contested matches. For those who manage to reach the later stages, endurance becomes a decisive factor: nearly a month of high-stakes chess can wear down even the most seasoned grandmasters.
According to the latest FIDE rating list, twenty-two players are rated 2700 or higher, ensuring that the event features the absolute elite of world chess. While upsets are always possible — and the World Cup format has a history of dramatic surprises — the probability of a player rated below 2700 winning the entire tournament remains slim. Still, the World Cup has consistently produced underdog stories: Vladimir Fedoseev’s unexpected run to the semifinals in Sochi 2021, or Nijat Abasov’s sensational performance in Baku 2023, remind us that anything can happen once the clocks start ticking.
The venue matches the prestige of the occasion. Set against a scenic, tropical backdrop, Goa combines beaches, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality to offer an atmosphere unlike any previous World Cup. For players and visitors alike, the event promises not only world-class chess but also a rich cultural and travel experience beyond the board.
“Goa is an amazing place, so whoever comes is going to have a great time. I would actually advise extending your stay and do a bit of sightseeing – I will be packing my sunglasses, swimwear and my laptop!” said one of the home players Vidit Santosh Gujrathi.
The 2025 FIDE World Cup in Goa promises to be a spectacular blend of high-level competition, unpredictable drama, and historic atmosphere. With 206 participants from more than 80 nations, the tournament offers a truly global showcase of talent — from established elite grandmasters to ambitious rising stars looking to make their breakthrough on the biggest stage.
Written by IM Michael Rahal, FIDE Press Officer
Photos: Michal Walusza / FIDE