World Cup

The FIDE World Cup is one of the most important events on the international chess calendar. Held every two years, it brings together over 200 of the world's top players in a single-elimination knockout format where anything can happen. The stakes are enormous: the top three finishers earn qualification spots in the Candidates Tournament, putting them just one step away from a World Championship match.

The 2025 edition took place from October 31 to November 27 in Goa, India, at the Resort Rio, a five-star venue near Baga Beach. With a total prize fund of $2 million (the fourth-largest in chess history), the tournament attracted a 206-player field headlined by reigning World Champion D. Gukesh as the top seed, along with R. Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi. Notable absentees included Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, and Fabiano Caruana.

19-year-old Uzbek GM Javokhir Sindarov won the tournament, becoming the youngest World Cup winner ever after defeating Wei Yi 1.5-0.5 in tiebreaks. Sindarov, Wei Yi, and Andrey Esipenko all qualified for the 2026 Candidates Tournament. The event drew strong viewership, peaking at nearly 65,000 concurrent viewers during the quarterfinal tiebreaks and accumulating 2.7 million hours watched across streaming platforms.

The World Cup format is what makes it special. Unlike round-robin super tournaments, the knockout structure means a single bad day can end your run. That produces upsets, drama, and unforgettable moments that keep fans watching. If you follow professional chess at all, the World Cup is appointment viewing.