Panaji: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday launched the logo and anthem for the upcoming 2025 FIDE World Cup Chess Championship, which will be held in North Goa from October 31 to November 27, 2025.
In an event organised by the State Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, the chief minister, in the presence of Sports Minister Ramesh Tawadkar, All India Chess Federation President Nitin Narang, Secretary Dev Patel, Goa’s Chief Secretary V. Candavelous, and others, unveiled the logo and anthem for this international sporting competition.
Sawant said that the event will be organised by the Goa government at Arpora village in North Goa from October 31 to November 27, 2025.
Addressing the gathering, the chief minister said that today they are launching a dream that belongs to every Goan and every Indian who believes in the power of intellect. He highlighted that after 23 years, the FIDE World Cup returns to India.
“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. Sawant added that in 2025, this great event comes to Goa. “It is an honour and a moment of immense pride for our state and our nation,” he said.
Sawant also noted that Goa and chess share a similar spirit of calm, reflection, and creativity. The chief minister 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, in the long run, will encourage new chess talent from Goa.
In a media statement released during the event, organisers said that the winner of the World Cup 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.
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, 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.
