FIDE World Cup Chess Championship in Goa from Oct 31; CM launches logo, anthem

Panaji, Oct 21 (PTI) Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday launched the logo and anthem for the 2025 FIDE World Cup Chess Championship to be held in the coastal state from October 31 to November 27.

The World Cup winner will not only take home the championship title but also secure one of three coveted spots in the 2026 Candidates Tournament, the penultimate stage leading to the World Chess Championship, the organisers said in a statement released during the event.

Among the top contenders are some of the biggest names in world chess, including Gukesh D, Arjun Erigaisi, Praggnanandhaa R, Anish Giri, Wesley So, Vincent Keymer, Hans Niemann, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Ian Nepomniachtchi, Richard Rapport, Vidit Gujrathi, Nihal Sarin and many more, the organisers said.

The tournament will also feature Faustino Oro, the 12-year-old Argentinian prodigy, who will make history as the youngest participant in the 2025 edition. Indian rising star Divya Deshmukh joins the Open Section via a wildcard entry, following a last-minute withdrawal by another participant, they said.

Sawant unveiled the logo and anthem for the international chess event in the presence of state Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar, All India Chess Federation President Nitin Narang, secretary Dev Patel and Goa's Chief Secretary V Candavelou.

He said that 82 countries will be participating in the event, which will take Goa to a global level and also boost sports and tourism in the state. This will, in the long run, encourage new chess talent from Goa, he added.

The event will be organised by the state government at Arpora village in North Goa from October 31 to November 27, the chief minister said.

"Today, we are launching a dream that belongs to every Goan and every Indian who believes in the power of intellect," he said, addressing the gathering.

The FIDE World Cup returns to India after 23 years, the chief minister pointed out.

"The last time we hosted this prestigious event was in 2002, when our own legend, Viswanathan Anand, lifted the World Cup trophy and made the nation proud," he said.

Now, in 2025, this great event comes to Goa. "It is an honour and a moment of immense pride for our state and our nation," Sawant said.

"When you think about it, Goa and chess share a similar spirit of calm, reflection and creativity," he said. PTI RPS GK