FIDE World Cup 2025: Hosted by Goa with the Anand Trophy

The FIDE World Cup 2025 has officially started in Goa, India, marking a proud moment for Indian chess.
This year’s trophy has been named the “Viswanathan Anand Trophy,” in honour of India’s first Grandmaster and five-time World Champion.

The global tournament will feature 206 players from 80 countries and will decide the top three qualifiers for the 2026 Candidates Tournament, the gateway to the World Chess Championship.

FIDE World Cup 2025: Hosted by Goa with the Anand Trophy

Trophy Dedicated to Viswanathan Anand

At the grand opening ceremony, the glittering Viswanathan Anand Trophy was unveiled by:

Union Sports Minister: Mansukh Mandaviya
Goa Chief Minister: Pramod Sawant
FIDE President: Arkady Dvorkovich

The trophy, designed with a peacock theme, represents India’s elegance, intelligence, and creativity.
All India Chess Federation (AICF) President Nitin Narang said it symbolizes the “chess revolution in India” and honours Anand’s immense contribution to the game.

Format and Prize Structure

Total Prize Fund: USD 2 million
Format: 8-round knockout event (classical games)
Each match: 2 games
If tied: Rapid and blitz tiebreaks on the third day
Top 50 seeds: Start from Round 2
Other 156 players: Start from Round 1 on November 1, 2025
Top 3 finishers: Qualify for the 2026 Candidates Tournament

India’s Rising Stars and Global Contenders

India’s campaign is led by World Champion D. Gukesh, who is seeded directly into Round 2.
Other key Indian players:

Arjun Erigaisi
R Praggnanandhaa
Nihal Sarin
Divya Deshmukh – the only female player in the open category and current Women’s World Cup holder.

Top international participants include:

Vincent Keymer (Germany) – World No. 4
Anish Giri (Netherlands)
Wesley So (USA)
Levon Aronian (USA)

Historic Return of the World Cup to India

This is the first time since 2002 that India is hosting the FIDE World Cup.
The previous edition held in Hyderabad (2002) saw Viswanathan Anand defeat Rustam Kasimdzhanov to win the title.

Now, 23 years later, India hosts the event again — this time as a chess superpower with a reigning world champion, an Olympiad-winning team, and several young grandmasters leading the global stage.

The 2025 tournament, crowned by the Viswanathan Anand Trophy, stands as a landmark event in Indian sports history.

Exam-Oriented Facts

Event: FIDE World Cup 2025
Location: Goa, India
Start Date: November 1, 2025
Trophy Name: Viswanathan Anand Trophy
Prize Money: USD 2 million
Total Players: 206 from 80 countries
Top 3 Qualify For: 2026 Candidates Tournament
Indian Participants: D. Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, Praggnanandhaa, Nihal Sarin, Divya Deshmukh
Last Hosted in India: 2002, Hyderabad
AICF President: Nitin Narang

Question & Answer

Q1. Where is the FIDE World Cup 2025 being held?
(a) Delhi
(b) Goa
(c) Hyderabad
(d) Chennai
Answer: Goa

Q2. The 2025 FIDE World Cup trophy is named after which Indian chess legend?
(a) R Praggnanandhaa
(b) D Gukesh
(c) Viswanathan Anand
(d) Nihal Sarin
Answer: Viswanathan Anand

Q3. How many players are participating in the FIDE World Cup 2025?
(a) 150
(b) 180
(c) 206
(d) 220
Answer: 206

Q4. How much is the total prize fund of the FIDE World Cup 2025?
(a) USD 1 million
(b) USD 1.5 million
(c) USD 2 million
(d) USD 3 million
Answer: USD 2 million

Q5. The top three finishers of the FIDE World Cup 2025 will qualify for which event?
(a) World Chess Championship
(b) Candidates Tournament 2026
(c) Chess Olympiad
(d) Grand Prix Final
Answer: Candidates Tournament 2026

Q6. When was the last time India hosted the FIDE World Cup before 2025?
(a) 1999
(b) 2000
(c) 2002
(d) 2005
Answer: 2002

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