Goa makes the move to host the FIDE World Cup 2025!

Goa, India makes the move to host the FIDE World Cup 2025 chess event after more than 20 years.

Goa is well known for the beaches and Susegad(quiet)lifestyle centred around relaxed, slow-paced with healthy work life balance appreciating simple pleasures, community and nature over the pressures of constant productivity. This mindset encourages releasing stress, prioritising what truly matters, and living with ease and gratitude. 

The hosts, having the privilege to organise, initiated the opening ceremony with a vibrant display theme of traditional music, dance, beaches and cuisine.

The FIDE World CUP 2025 Official Anthem blends chess and historical elements in a catchy musical composition. 

Enjoy the Anthem from here as the first round kicks off today in a knockout format with over 200 top players competing for the newly released "Viswanathan Anand Trophy" and a substantial prize fund.

FIDE captures the opening ceremony moments, watch here

New Zealand Candidate Master Oscar Qin is ready to showcase his strategic skills at the global tournament. WGM Divya Deshmukh of India and Women's World Cup winner 2025 receives a wild card to play in the open category event.

During the final stage of the tournament, we will provide updated results as the event ends on 27 November 2025.  The event winner will play in the Candidates. 

All participants receive our best wishes!

Fun fact: In the event the reader perceives bias in the article, the writer is a Goan and aficionada por xadrez :-)

PS: Register for upcoming Chessroad Tournament from here