Goa witnessed a historic moment as Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant made the ceremonial first move in the highly anticipated match between World Champion D. Gukesh and GM Kazybek Nogerbek at the FIDE World Cup. The event was attended by eminent chess personalities, including Viswanathan Anand, GM Abhijeet Kunte, MLA Praveen Arlekar, and other dignitaries, making it a significant occasion for Indian chess.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Minister remarked that hosting such a prestigious global chess tournament is a proud milestone for Goa and reflects the state’s growing importance in international sports. He emphasized that the event not only promotes competitive chess but also inspires young talent in Goa to aspire to global excellence.
The FIDE World Cup match between D. Gukesh and GM Kazybek Nogerbek brought together India’s finest chess talents and international stars, highlighting the nation’s rising stature in the global chess arena. The presence of legends like Viswanathan Anand further elevated the event, making it a memorable experience for players, spectators, and fans.
This historic occasion signifies Goa’s commitment to hosting world-class sporting events, fostering talent, and promoting the state as a hub for cultural and sporting excellence.
Chess returns to the global spotlight as the FIDE World Cup 2025 heads to Goa, India, from October 30 to November 27. In a high-stakes, eight-round knockout format, 206 of the world’s strongest players will compete for a $2 million prize fund and three coveted spots in the 2026 Candidates Tournament.
India’s chess rise has been nothing short of meteoric. Last year, Gukesh Dommaraju stunned the world by becoming World Champion. More recently, Divya Deshmukh captured the Women’s World Cup title, marking a new era in Indian chess. With both the Open and Women’s teams winning gold at the Chess Olympiad, India has firmly established itself as a global powerhouse.
Goa, known for its serene beaches, vibrant culture, and warm hospitality, offers the perfect backdrop for this world-class tournament. For fans, it’s the ideal setting to witness elite chess alongside a rich cultural experience. For players, it’s a unique blend of focus and inspiration.
Tournament Format
Dates: October 30 – November 27, 2025
Players: 206
Format: Eight-round knockout
Top 50 seeds start in Round 2
Match Structure: Two classical games; if tied, rapid & blitz playoffs
Top 3 Finishers: Qualify for the 2026 Candidates Tournament
Leadership Statements
Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE President:
“India has become one of the strongest chess nations. Hosting the World Cup in Goa is a celebration of this growth and the global appeal of chess.”
Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India:
“India is delighted to host the prestigious FIDE World Cup 2025. I am sure this tournament will showcase thrilling matches and the brilliance of top players from around the world.”
Nitin Narang, AICF President:
“This is a proud moment for Indian chess. The World Cup in Goa will inspire millions and reflect India’s stature as a global hub for the game.”
With more than 90 countries expected to be represented, the FIDE World Cup 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most widely watched and celebrated chess events in history.
Chess fans around the world—mark your calendars. Goa is calling, and the board is set.
Goa’s rising chess talent Nitish Belurkar has achieved his second Grandmaster (GM) norm at the 5th International Festival of La Plagne Soleil Masters held in France — marking a major milestone in his journey to becoming a GM.
Nitish scored an unbeaten 7 points in 9 rounds, finishing third in a competitive field of 171 players from 23 countries, and earned a performance rating of 2624. With this, he not only secured his second GM norm but also gained 19 Elo points, bringing his live rating to 2472.
Now, he’s just one norm and 28 Elo points away from achieving the title of Grandmaster — the highest honour in the world of chess.
👏 Highlights of the Tournament
✅ Win over top seed GM Jules Moussard (2591)
✅ Held strong draws with GMs Iniyan Pa, Christian Bauer, Yuri Solodovnichenko, and Joseph Girrel
✅ Wins against Van Volsem Merlijn, FM Hald Falkesggard Jeppe, Damien Riberie, and FM Fantin Ludwig
This performance follows Nitish’s first GM norm, which he had achieved earlier at the Vezerkepzo GM tournament in Hungary.
💬 A Goan Star in the Making
Nitish Belurkar’s success story is not just about individual brilliance — it reflects the growing strength of Indian and Goan chess on the global stage. His composure, consistency, and tenacity have made him one of the most watched young players in the country.
As the chess world turns its attention to his next tournaments, Nitish carries with him the hopes of becoming Goa’s next Grandmaster.
Celestial Minds, in collaboration with Centenary Chess Academy Baina and MTCA, organized a highly competitive chess tournament at the Centenary Chess Club in Vasco Baina on Tuesday.
The event featured both FIDE-rated and unrated sections, attracting a diverse range of players from across the region.
The rated section saw intense competition, with some of Goa’s top chess players showcasing their skills. The top 10 finishers were: Mandar Pradip Lad – 6.0 points, Manvith Kanajalu – 5.0 points, Saras Summer Powar – 5.0 points, Atharva Sawal – 4.5 points, Rishikesh Parab – 4.5 points, Sanjay Thorat – 4.5 points, Aryan Shamrao Raikar – 4.5 points, Adarsh Anand Patekar – 4.5 points, Shubham R Sawaikar – 4.5 points, Aarav Chopdekar – 4.0 points
Several age-based categories also saw standout performances: Best U-9 Girls: Vania Vaibhav Dukle, Best U-11 Boys: Rishit Gawas; Best U-11 Girls: Krutika Aggarwal, Best U-13 Boys: Nathan Jess Cardozo; Best U-13 Girls: Rochel Pereira, Best U-15 Boys: Hriday Tukaram Morajkar; Best U-15 Girls: Rachel Pereira, Best Veteran Above 40: Dmitry Bezstrakhov; Best Centenary Player: Shlok Sanjiv Mesta,
Unrated Section Highlights: The unrated section also had its share of exciting performances, with Taaj Gharse taking the top spot with an impressive 7.5 points, followed by Atharva Singh with 7.0 points. Other notable performances included:
In the unrated section, players in various age categories displayed exceptional talent, with the following notable performances:
Best U-7 Girls: Aaradhya Dessai (1st), Jigyasa Gawas (2nd); Best U-7 Boys: Nirbhay Gaude (1st), Shrihan Chougale (2nd); Best U-9 Girls: Shreesha Sushant Ghadi (1st), Drisha Ghonge (2nd); Best U-9 Boys: Rejmon Gavin Fernandes (1st), Aarav Nagueshkar (2nd); Best U-11 Girls: Anvi Parab (1st), Mishka Shah (2nd); Best U-11 Boys: Urmish Devsekar (1st), Rajesh Rudreshan (2nd); Best U-13 Girls: Aarna Sawant (1st), Shriya Naik (2nd); Best U-13 Boys: Abith Naik (1st), Mudit Paresh Singbal (2nd); Best U-15 Girls: Grisha Singbal (1st), Svetlana Valanca Da Cunha (2nd); Best U-15 Boys: Atharv Dinesh Shetye (1st), Shlok Patil (2nd); The Best Centenary Player in the unrated section was awarded to Arnav Shinde. The tournament also recognized the top performers in each Centenary age group, with winners in the U-7, U-9, U-11, U-13, and U-15 categories.
