World Chess Champion D Gukesh is gearing up for a return to one of his fondest venues as he leads the Indian contingent at the FIDE World Cup 2025, to be held in Goa from October 31 to November 27.
For the 19-year-old, the tournament marks not only another major challenge on the international stage but also a nostalgic return to the coastal state where some of his earliest competitive memories were made.
“I am really excited about the World Cup. Playing anywhere in India is great, and I have some great memories of Goa. I played some junior events there, so I’m looking forward to being back,” said Gukesh, who enters the tournament as the top seed and a clear favorite to go deep into the knockout rounds.
The last time Gukesh competed in Goa was in 2019, as a rising prodigy at the Category ‘A’ Goa International Open Grandmasters Chess Tournament. Then just 13, he finished an impressive 10th place, significantly outperforming his initial seeding. Six years later, he returns as the World Champion, a journey that mirrors the meteoric rise of Indian chess itself. Now, Gukesh’s focus will be on extending his dominance in front of home fans, as India hosts the FIDE World Cup for the first time in 23 years. The tournament, one of the marquee events on the world chess calendar, will feature 206 players from 82 countries competing for a $2 million prize pool.
The top three finishers will earn qualification spots for the 2026 Candidates Tournament, the final step before the World Championship match.
The event will be staged at a luxury resort in North Goa, bringing together many of the world’s leading grandmasters in what promises to be a festival of chess combining intense over-the-board battles with the laid-back charm of India’s premier tourist destination. Gukesh, who has received a bye in the opening round, is expected to face Kazybek Nogerbek of Kazakhstan in the second round. The format, however, allows little room for error each round consists of two classical games, with tiebreaks played at faster time controls if necessary. A single slip can end even a top seed’s campaign early, a reality Gukesh is all too aware of.
“Returning as World Champion definitely feels special,” said a source close to Gukesh’s camp. “He wants to make this one memorable not just for himself, but for Indian chess fans who rarely get to see such a world-class field compete on home soil.”
Giri Headlines International Challenge
Among those standing between Gukesh and a World Cup crown is Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri, the highest-ranked foreign player in the field. Giri, who has already qualified for the 2026 Candidates Tournament through the FIDE Grand Swiss, enters the event with less pressure but plenty of motivation. “The World Cup is a great event, and I’m going to play it regardless it’s fun to play,” said Giri. Having reached the semi-finals in 2015, where he narrowly missed out on qualification after losing to Peter Svidler, Giri knows well the challenges of the event’s unforgiving knockout structure.
“It’s a very tricky qualification path, whichever the format,” he noted. “I’ve played many of these and came close once. You need to balance aggression and caution one bad game and you’re out.”
With his place at the Candidates already secured, Giri’s participation adds both depth and intrigue to the field. For others, the World Cup represents a make-or-break opportunity to keep their World Championship hopes alive.
The FIDE World Cup, introduced in its current knockout format in 2005, has become a cornerstone of the modern World Championship cycle. Over the years, it has produced some of the sport’s most dramatic upsets and career-defining runs. Only Viswanathan Anand and Levon Aronian have managed to win the title twice a testament to the event’s difficulty.
For Indian chess, this year’s World Cup carries both symbolic and practical importance. It marks a return of elite global competition to India after more than two decades, and it showcases the country’s growing influence on the world stage. With Gukesh as the reigning world champion and India boasting an unprecedented depth of young grandmasters, hosting the tournament in Goa represents a full-circle moment in the nation’s chess renaissance. The scenic coastal setting adds a fitting backdrop to this new chapter. Goa, known for its hospitality and cultural vibrancy, has long been an emerging hub for domestic tournaments. Now, it welcomes the world.
Eyes on the Prize
With a winner’s purse of $120,000, the FIDE World Cup 2025 offers not only financial rewards but also immense prestige. For Gukesh, it presents an opportunity to underline his dominance on home soil while testing himself against the world’s elite in a high-pressure format that rewards both skill and stamina.
The knockout structure demands resilience one moment of brilliance or one blunder can swing an entire match. The psychological battle is as intense as the one on the board. For the reigning champion, it’s another test of his composure and consistency, traits that have defined his young career.
“Gukesh’s preparation has been meticulous,” said a member of his training team. “He understands that the World Cup is as much about mental endurance as it is about opening preparation. Every game here has the weight of a final.”
For Gukesh, Goa is not just a venue it’s a memory. From competing as a prodigy in 2019 to returning as World Champion in 2025, the journey encapsulates how far he and Indian chess have come. As he prepares to lead the charge at the FIDE World Cup, the stage is set for another defining moment in his already extraordinary career.
“Playing in Goa again feels like coming full circle,” Gukesh said with a smile. “It’s one of the best destinations in India and hopefully, I can make it even more special this time.” The FIDE World Cup 2025 runs from October 31 to November 27 in North Goa, featuring 206 players from 82 nations.
The top three finishers will qualify for the Candidates Tournament 2026 the final gateway to the World Championship match.
