New Delhi: Reigning World Champion D Gukesh will enter the FIDE World Cup 2025 as the top seed when the tournament kicks off in Goa on October 30. Fellow Indians Arjun Erigaisi and R Praggnanandhaa are seeded second and third respectively, highlighting India’s strong representation in the event. Denmark’s Anish Giri is seeded fourth among a star-studded field.
The tournament, which concludes on November 27, features 206 participants from around the world and carries a total prize pool of USD 2 million. Beyond the financial rewards, players are competing for three coveted spots in the 2026 Candidates Tournament, which offers a pathway to challenge for the World Chess Championship.
Following Gukesh, Erigaisi, and Praggnanandhaa, the top seeds include USA’s Wesley So at fifth, followed by Vincent Keymer, Wei Yi, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, and Hans Niemann. The lineup promises a highly competitive event with multiple grandmasters contending for glory.
This year’s men’s World Cup is held separately from the corresponding women’s event, which took place in July. Indian grandmaster Divya Deshmukh emerged victorious in the women’s tournament, earning the grandmaster title and securing a place in the 2026 Women’s Candidates.
The Goa edition of the FIDE World Cup is expected to draw significant attention from chess enthusiasts worldwide, as participants battle not only for the prize money but also for the chance to advance toward the ultimate goal of the World Chess Championship.
