India Emerges as a Chess Powerhouse with Prestigious FIDE World Cup

India has been heralded as a modern powerhouse in the world of chess by the International Chess Federation's president, Arkady Dvorkovich. He announced the upcoming FIDE World Cup in Goa, highlighting India's pivotal role in the sport's global structure.

The tournament, set to run from October 30 to November 27, will feature 206 top chess players from 80 countries. They will compete in a knockout format for a share of the $2 million prize fund and three key 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament qualification spots. This event represents a significant comeback for the World Cup to India, last hosted in 2002.

Prominent players include reigning world champion D Gukesh, along with rising stars Arjun Erigaisi and Nihal Sarin. Internationally, Vincent Keymer and Anish Giri pose strong contention. The tournament promises to be a landmark event, celebrating India's prominence in the chess world.