FIDE World Cup 2025 Begins in Goa, Trophy Named After Viswanathan Anand

The 2025 FIDE World Chess Cup commenced in Goa on Friday, marking a historic moment for Indian chess with the unveiling of the Viswanathan Anand Trophy, named after the five-time world champion and India’s first Grandmaster. The prestigious global event features 206 players from 80 countries and will determine three qualifiers for the 2026 Candidates Tournament.

Trophy Dedicated to India’s Chess Icon

The glittering trophy, unveiled at a grand opening ceremony attended by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, and FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, celebrates Anand’s unparalleled contribution to the sport. All India Chess Federation (AICF) President Nitin Narang described the trophy as a “symbol of India’s chess revolution,” featuring a peacock design that embodies grace and intellect. Narang hailed it as a tribute to Anand’s enduring legacy, inspiring future generations of chess prodigies.

Format and Prize Structure

The World Cup, with a total prize fund of USD 2 million, follows an eight-round knockout format of classical games. Each match comprises two games, with rapid and blitz tiebreaks on the third day if required. The top 50 seeds, including the world’s leading grandmasters, begin directly in round two, while 156 others start in round one on November 1. The top three finishers will secure places in the 2026 Candidates Tournament — the next step toward challenging for the World Championship.

India’s Rising Stars and Global Contenders

Reigning world champion D Gukesh headlines India’s campaign and is seeded directly into the second round. Other Indian participants include rising stars Arjun Erigaisi, R Praggnanandhaa, Nihal Sarin, and current Women’s World Cup holder Divya Deshmukh — the only female player in the open section. The international field features Germany’s Vincent Keymer, world No. 4 on the live ratings list, along with top contenders Anish Giri, Wesley So, and Levon Aronian.

Exam Oriented Facts

• FIDE World Cup 2025 is being held in Goa, India.
• The trophy is named after five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand.
• The event features 206 players from 80 nations and offers USD 2 million in prize money.
• Top three finishers qualify for the 2026 Candidates Tournament.

Historic Return of the World Cup to India

This is the first time since 2002 that India is hosting the FIDE World Cup, the last being in Hyderabad where Anand triumphed against Rustam Kasimdzhanov. More than two decades later, India now boasts a world champion, an Olympiad-winning team, and a new generation of grandmasters leading a global resurgence in Indian chess. The 2025 edition, anchored by the “Viswanathan Anand Trophy”, stands as a defining milestone in the nation’s sporting history.