New Delhi: FIDE confirms Goa as host of World Cup
After a long wait of more than two decades, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) has announced that Goa will host the 2025 FIDE World Cup. The event, scheduled from October 30 to November 27, marks the return of the World Cup to India after 23 years.
The announcement was made on Tuesday with visuals on the FIDE website portraying Goa’s coastal charm — a king and queen set against the Arabian Sea, with coconut palms and sandy shores — framing the state as an idyllic backdrop for one of the most prestigious events in global chess.
The tournament will feature 206 of the world’s best players competing for a prize fund of $2 million, making it one of the most significant sporting events to be hosted in India in recent years.
India’s last World Cup memory: Anand’s triumph in 2002
For Indian fans, the announcement carries emotional weight. The last time the World Cup came to India was in 2002, when Hyderabad hosted the event. That edition is etched in history as Viswanathan Anand lifted the trophy, cementing his status as one of the greatest chess players of all time.
Interestingly, the same year also saw Goa host a landmark event: the World Junior Chess Championship. From December 9 to 20, 2002, over 150 young players from more than 50 countries competed in Goa. Armenian Grandmaster Levon Aronian, then just 20 years old, emerged champion with 10 points, while England’s Luke McShane finished second.
That event proved to be a turning point in Aronian’s career, propelling him towards becoming one of the world’s elite players.
Goa’s chess legacy and cultural impact
For Goa, however, the 2002 World Junior Championship was more than just a chess competition. It was a cultural celebration and a tourism milestone. Ashesh Keni, then the organising secretary and now the Secretary of the Goa Chess Association, recalls how the event was personally backed by then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar.
“He wanted Goa tourism to benefit. At that time, not many Russians were coming to Goa. He told me specifically: we want this tournament so Russians will know about Goa,” Keni told TimesofIndia.com.
The plan succeeded. Promoted online — a rarity in 2002 — the event introduced many Russian fans to Goa. “After that, a lot of Russians came to Goa as tourists, and many still keep coming,” Keni added.
Hospitality also left a lasting impression. Officials praised Goa’s arrangements, saying it was among the best World Juniors they had ever attended. The event also had lighter moments. “I remember when players came for the World Juniors, they were all dancing with joy. We even had a disco. An Iranian player, who couldn’t dance back home, spent the whole day dancing,” Keni recalled with a laugh.
Building confidence for world-class events
The 2002 championship gave Goa invaluable experience. “For us, it was the first time hosting something at that scale. We had international arbiters and had to cater to so many cultures. It gave us the confidence that Goa could deliver world-class events,” said Keni, who is also an International Arbiter.
Since then, Goa has hosted nine national-level tournaments and several FIDE-rated events. But for the state’s chess community, 2002 remains unforgettable — the year Goa announced itself on the world chess map.
Return of the world’s best in 2025
Now, with the FIDE World Cup returning to India after 23 years, Goa once again takes centre stage. For the Goa Chess Association, it is not just another international event but an opportunity to rekindle the memories of 2002.
As Keni puts it: “After the 2002 event, we have not had an opportunity to conduct a world tournament. This time, the world’s best are coming back, and Goa is ready.”