FIDE Revamps World Cup Format and Candidates Tournament Qualification Path

Bengaluru: FIDE Revamps World Cup Format, Alters Candidates Tournament Path

In a significant shake-up for the chess world, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) has announced changes to the World Cup format, making it shorter and faster. This decision comes just a day after the organization revealed the removal of the rating spot and the World Cup third-place qualification route from the qualification path for the 2028 Candidates Tournament.

The Candidates Tournament, which features eight players vying for the chance to challenge the reigning World Champion, will now see a new qualification route introduced through the Total Chess World Championship Tour. This Tour, created by Norway Chess and led by world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen, will allow the top two players in its final standings to secure direct entry into the prestigious tournament. Notably, four out of the eight spots in the Candidates Tournament will now be filled through faster time controls, including rapid and blitz formats.

FIDE’s recent announcement also includes provisions for an increased number of players and higher prize funds in the World Cup, aiming to enhance the tournament’s appeal. However, the changes have sparked a divide among players and coaches. While some, like American grandmaster Hans Niemann, have praised the new direction, others express concern that FIDE is deprioritizing classical chess, traditionally viewed as the cornerstone of the game.

At this year’s Candidates Tournament, which saw Javokhir Sindarov emerge as a dominant force, the World Cup third-place spot was claimed by Andrey Esipenko, while Hikaru Nakamura secured the rating spot.

These sweeping changes come just ahead of the September FIDE elections during the Chess Olympiad, with incumbent president Arkady Dvorkovich seeking a third term in office.

Dutch grandmaster Anish Giri weighed in on the new format via social media platform X, stating, “A Swiss format (in the World Cup) gives every participant many guaranteed classical games instead of the possibility of traveling halfway across the world only to be eliminated after two days. That alone may make the event feel more worthwhile for many players. I’m not saying the new format is better. It may well turn out to be worse. Even if we disagree with FIDE’s decisions, they don’t appear to be random. They seem to be an attempt to balance sporting fairness, logistics, commercial appeal, and the global growth of the game.”

For the 2028 Women’s Candidates, the FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss, the Grand Prix Series, the FIDE Women’s World Cup, and the FIDE Circuit will each award two spots toward the eight-player tournament.

As the chess community grapples with these changes, the future of the game remains uncertain, with many eager to see how these new formats will impact the landscape of competitive chess.