India to Host FIDE World Cup 2025 | 28 Aug 2025

Why in News?

PM Narendra Modi expressed India’s pride in hosting the prestigious FIDE World Cup 2025, marking its return to Indian soil after more than two decades (23 years). 

• The tournament will take place in Goa from 30th October to 27th November with a USD 2 million prize purse and three berths for next year’s Candidates Tournament.
• The 206-player field includes top players such as World Champion D Gukesh, Magnus Carlsen, Fabiano Caruana, and India’s R Praggnanandhaa.

Key Points 

• India's Previous Hosting: India last organized the FIDE World Cup in 2002 in Hyderabad, where Viswanathan Anand won the tournament with Rustam Kasimdzhanov as the runner-up.
• About Chess: Chess originated in northern India during the Gupta Empire around the 6th century CE, known as chaturanga. 
  • Played on an 8×8 board, it reflected real-life warfare strategy with pieces representing infantry, cavalry, elephants, and chariots. 
  • The game spread to Persia as shatranj, then to Europe, where it evolved into modern chess by the 15th century, with key modifications like the queen and bishop’s enhanced powers.
• International Chess Day: In 2019, the UN declared 20th July as International Chess Day, recognizing its role in promoting education, peace, and gender equality, supporting the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SDG 4), (SDG 11 and 16), and (SDG 5). 
• FIDE: The FIDE World Cup 2025 is organized by FIDE (International Chess Federation), which is the governing body for chess worldwide. 
  • The All India Chess Federation (AICF) is serving as the local organizer in collaboration with FIDE.
  • In 1924, FIDE was founded in Paris, formalizing chess as an international sport.