Team Herald
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PANJIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant along with Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar launched the logo and anthem for the FIDE World Cup Chess Championship 2025 to held in the State from October 31 to November 27, marking a historic return of the prestigious tournament to Indian soil after 23 years, at the Indoor Stadium, Campal, here, on Tuesday.
Hosted at the luxurious Resort Rio, Arpora, the event will feature 206 players representing 82 countries, battling it out in a high-stakes knock-out format for a total prize fund of $2 million.
The winner of the World Cup will not only take home the championship title but also secure one of three coveted spots in the 2026 Candidates Tournament, the penultimate stage leading to the World Chess Championship.
Among the top contenders are some of the biggest names in world chess, including Gukesh D, Arjun Erigaisi, Praggnanandhaa R, Anish Giri, Wesley So, Vincent Keymer, Hans Niemann, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Richard Rapport, Vidit Gujrathi, Nihal Sarin and many more.
The tournament will also feature Faustino Oro, the 12-year-old Argentinian prodigy, who will make history as the youngest participant in the 2025 edition. Indian rising star Divya Deshmukh joins the Open Section via a wildcard entry, following a last-minute withdrawal by another participant.
The return of the World Cup to India – for the first time since 2002 – underlines the nation’s growing influence and passion for chess, especially after recent global successes of its young grandmasters. Goa’s vibrant culture and scenic charm are expected to provide an unforgettable backdrop for one of the chess world’s most prestigious events.
