Ian Nepomniachtchi Criticizes FIDE Over Hotel Conditions at Goa Chess World Cup

Nepomniachtchi Critiques FIDE Over Hotel Conditions at Goa Chess World Cup

Last Updated: February 03, 2026, 13:07 IST

In a fresh wave of criticism, Russian Grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi has once again taken aim at the International Chess Federation (FIDE) regarding the choice of accommodations for the ongoing Chess World Cup in Goa, India. The chess prodigy described the conditions at the Resort Rio hotel as “unacceptable,” citing issues with the quality of the facilities and the spiciness of the food.

Despite acknowledging Goa as a “great place” with a pleasant climate, Nepomniachtchi expressed his disappointment over FIDE’s decision to select what he deemed “one of the worst hotels.” His remarks came after a disappointing match where he was outplayed by Indian player Diptayan Ghosh, following a bye into the second round.

In an interview on Greg Mustreader’s YouTube podcast, Nepomniachtchi elaborated on his grievances, stating, “I spoke with officials from FIDE. They said: ‘Well, yes,’ but when we arrived, it was too late to change anything. Of course, the hotel leaves something to be desired.” He went on to compare the hotel conditions unfavorably to those in Cuba, where he noted that while the accommodations might be “tired,” the food was significantly better.

Nepomniachtchi’s comments have sparked a backlash from the Indian chess community, with many fans accusing him of using the hotel conditions as an excuse for his defeat. “It’s clear that some people like complaining more, especially when the tournament is going badly,” he remarked, but stood firm on his stance regarding the hotel’s subpar ratings. “This is a tournament that is held once every two years. It was possible to choose a hotel with ratings higher than 6 on Booking.com. I’ve never seen such low rankings before.”

After a few days at the Resort Rio, Nepomniachtchi opted to switch hotels, further emphasizing his dissatisfaction with FIDE’s choices. His criticisms have reignited discussions about the importance of player accommodations in high-stakes tournaments, as competitors often require optimal conditions to perform at their best.

As the Chess World Cup continues, all eyes will be on Nepomniachtchi to see how he rebounds from this setback, both on and off the board.