India to Host FIDE Chess World Cup in October-November, Top Players to Compete.

India will host the FIDE Chess World Cup from October 30 to November 27, 2025, with 206 players competing for the title and qualification spots in the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament. The event will follow a single-elimination format, and the top three finishers will earn direct qualification for the 2026 Candidates Tournament. Reigning world champion D Gukesh and world number one Magnus Carlsen are among the players who will compete in the event.

India is set to host the 2025 FIDE World Cup Chess Tournament from October 30 to November 2, marking a significant milestone in the country's chess history. This prestigious event will feature 206 players competing in a single-elimination format, with the top three finishers securing spots in the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament [1].

The tournament will be organized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), with the venue yet to be decided. The event will follow a single-elimination format, where each round spans three days: two classical games on the first two days, followed by tie-breaks on the third day, if necessary. In the first round, the top 50 players will receive byes, while players seeded from 51 to 206 will compete in matches based on the principle of the top half versus the reversed lower half [1].

The 2025 FIDE World Cup will be a high-stakes event, with the top three finishers directly qualifying for the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament, which determines the challenger for the World Chess Championship. Players can qualify through various routes, including being the reigning World Champion, top four finishers from the 2023 FIDE World Cup, reigning Women’s World Champion, 2024 World Junior Champion (U-20), qualifiers from continental events, the 13 highest-rated players in the June 2025 FIDE standard rating list, top 100 national federations from the 2024 Chess Olympiad open section, and nominees of the FIDE President [1].

Reigning world champion D Gukesh and world number one Magnus Carlsen are among the players expected to compete in the event. FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky expressed excitement about bringing the World Cup to India, highlighting the country's deep-rooted passion and support for chess [1].

This event is anticipated to generate significant interest among local chess enthusiasts, both on-site and online, and FIDE has committed to organizing numerous side events to enhance the overall experience. The tournament promises to be a thrilling spectacle for chess fans and a significant milestone for India's chess community.

References:
[1] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/chess/chess-fide-world-cup-2025-to-be-hosted-in-india-top-players-to-battle-for-spot-in-2026-candidates/articleshow/122808729.cms