India to Host FIDE World Cup 2025: Initial Announcement Causes Stir, Confusion, and Excitement
The chess world was thrown into a frenzy on Monday with the announcement that India would host the prestigious FIDE World Cup 2025, offering three spots for the highly anticipated Candidates Tournament. However, the excitement was short-lived as FIDE later removed India from the list of official hosts, leaving many in suspense.
Speculation arose about the reasons behind FIDE’s initial announcement and subsequent backtrack, but later that evening, an official from the All India Chess Federation confirmed that India would indeed host the tournament from October 31 to November 27.
If confirmed, this event will mark India’s first major international chess competition since the 2022 Chess Olympiad held in Chennai. The World Cup 2025 will play a crucial role in determining qualification for the Candidates Tournament, with three spots up for grabs for the winners.
In addition to the World Cup, FIDE has also announced the second edition of the World Cup for young chess players, set to take place in Batumi, Georgia, from June 22 to July 3, 2025. This tournament will feature participants in three age groups—Under 8, Under 10, and Under 12—competing in both boys and girls categories.
The tournament will consist of a seven-round Swiss System format followed by classical two-game matches, with tiebreaks if necessary. The chess world is eagerly anticipating these upcoming events, which promise to showcase top talent and fierce competition on the international stage.