The new FIDE World Chess Cup trophy to be held in India was on Friday christened the Viswanathan Anand Trophy in honor of the five-time world champion and Indian chess legend. The trophy was unveiled during the launch ceremony attended by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich at Panjim in Goa.
All India Chess Federation (AICF) President Nitin Narang announced the development and confirmed that the trophy has been named after India’s first grandmaster.
“Extremely proud and delighted to announce the Viswanathan Anand Cup, the FIDE World Cup (Open) runner-up trophy, established in honor of the King of Chess and India’s first Grandmaster, Shri Viswanathan Anand,” Narang said.
“This runner’s trophy is a symbol of the great strides in Indian chess and the remarkable achievements and legacy of @vishy64theking which is destined to be cherished and celebrated for centuries and passed down through generations of chess prodigies.”
In a post on X, Narang described the trophy as majestic, magnificent and deeply symbolic in its design, noting that it features a peacock – India’s national bird – in a frozen dance pose, a vision so striking that it evokes the timeless magic of the game. Courtesy: Nitin Narang/X
World Women’s Chess Cup title holder Divya Deshmukh made the draw, with all the odd-numbered players in the 1st round playing with black pieces.
The $2 million tournament features 206 players from 80 countries competing in eight knockout rounds of classic games. The 2025 FIDE World Cup will award three places to the 2026 Candidates Tournament – the gateway to the next World Championship match.
WHAT’S AT STAKE FOR INDIAN STARS?
The World Championship has become a central event for Indian chess and offers a crucial opportunity for national grandmasters to secure their place in the Candidates Tournament. With the tournament starting on October 31, it is not only a test of skill and endurance but also the depth and resilience of Indian chess amid rising global expectations. With the event on home soil, the players realize both the pressure and the privilege of enhancing India’s growing reputation as a sporting powerhouse.
This year’s World Chess Championship uses a single-elimination format inspired by tennis, with the field expanded to 206 participants. The first round features a system of byes, after which the structure transitions to round-robin singles matches that escalate into quick tiebreaks if necessary. The format not only requires technical precision, but also challenges players to maintain maximum concentration during a grueling schedule.
Since its transformation in 2005, the World Chess Championship has relied on a knockout format to determine qualifying champions and candidates. Earlier editions followed a group stage system, but the move to a larger field and direct eliminations increased the intensity of the competition. Every match result now carries decisive weight, making the World Cup one of the most challenging tournaments on the chess calendar.
For India’s leading Grand Masters, this year’s event holds special significance as three contenders’ spots are up for grabs. After Gukesh’s triumph in last year’s World Cup, attention now turns to the likes of R. Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi and Vidit Gujrathi – each eager to showcase the depth of Indian talent. Home field advantage offers both encouragement and increased control over national stars.
Despite India’s recent chess successes, the leadership performance before the World Cup has been mixed. At the Grand Swiss in Samarkand, Arjun Erigaisi was India’s top finisher at sixth, while Praggnanandhaa finished 35th. Vidit Gujrathi, despite past success, endured a dip in form and raised the stakes as the World Cup is one of the final avenues for the contenders.
The demanding structure of the World Cup has drawn both praise and criticism. Its combination of classic and fast time control, along with the potential for fatigue in the later rounds, remains a matter of debate among players and analysts. However, the format ensures that only the fittest and most resilient competitors progress, enhancing the prestige and honor associated with triumphing in this legendary event.
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Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
31 October 2025
