After more than two decades, India is set to host the prestigious FIDE Chess World Cup in New Delhi from October 31 to November 27, 2025. This event marks the return of a major international chess tournament to Indian soil, bringing a golden opportunity to promote the sport, bridge regional divides, and elevate India’s stature in the global chess community. While India has consistently produced world-class chess players, the absence of such high-profile events for over 20 years has stifled its growth. In this article, we analyze how hosting the Chess World Cup will boost India’s sports culture, help address the North-South divide in chess, and highlight the reasons for the long gap in hosting international tournaments.
Strengthening India’s Sports Culture Through Chess
Chess has always been a part of India’s rich cultural and historical fabric, yet it has never truly received the attention it deserves. Hosting the FIDE Chess World Cup will provide an enormous boost to India's sporting ecosystem. The visibility of a global event in the national capital will inspire young chess enthusiasts and students to take up the game professionally. Schools, colleges, and chess academies across India will be encouraged to organize competitions and training programs, ensuring that a new wave of talent emerges from all corners of the country.
While cricket enjoys enormous funding and sponsorships, chess has largely remained an individual pursuit, relying on private coaching and self-financed participation in international tournaments. With India hosting the World Cup, there will be increased investment in chess academies, better training facilities, and perhaps even the establishment of a structured league system similar to other sports. Grandmaster Ramesh RB, who has coached several young Indian prodigies, believes this event could be the tipping point. “We have the talent, but what we lack is the visibility. This tournament could change the way chess is perceived in India, pushing it into the mainstream,” he says.
Major sports brands, corporate sponsors, and media houses will turn their attention toward chess, ensuring that players receive financial support and recognition. This will also drive viewership, making chess more mainstream and accessible to audiences who have previously ignored the sport. The government’s backing of the Chess World Cup signifies an evolving sports policy where intellectual games receive the same encouragement as physical sports. This event could pave the way for chess becoming a compulsory subject in schools, much like physical education. Former World Champion Viswanathan Anand points out, “The government’s support is crucial in making chess a mass sport. This event could bring about that much-needed change.”
Bridging the North-South Divide in Indian Chess
Historically, the majority of India’s top chess players have emerged from the southern states, particularly Tamil Nadu. Grandmasters like Viswanathan Anand, R Praggnanandhaa, and D Gukesh hail from Tamil Nadu, where chess has flourished due to state-backed initiatives and a well-developed chess culture. However, northern states have struggled to produce top-tier chess talent. Hosting the FIDE World Cup in New Delhi is expected to change that dynamic.
The event will increase awareness and interest in chess across northern states such as Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Bihar. With the tournament taking place in Delhi, local chess academies and institutions will gain recognition, motivating parents and students to invest in the sport. Most top chess training centers are located in Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. Bringing a major tournament to the North will prompt the establishment of better coaching centers and chess clubs in cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Patna, Guwahati and Kolkata fostering a more balanced national chess ecosystem. Coach and chess promoter Dhruv Sharma, who runs a leading chess academy in Delhi, remarks, “This tournament will finally give North Indian players a home advantage and exposure. It will inspire a whole new generation of players.”
There has been a perception that only players from South India dominate chess. With the FIDE World Cup being hosted in the North, young players from different regions will get the chance to interact with global chess stars, breaking the notion that chess success is geographically confined. Grandmaster Sandeepan Chanda, who has trained players across India, argues, “The divide is not about talent but about access to coaching and resources. This event will start leveling the playing field.”
Why India Has Not Hosted a Chess World Cup for Over Two Decades
Despite being home to legendary players like Viswanathan Anand and R Praggnanandhaa, India has not hosted a FIDE World Cup since 2002. The reasons behind this long gap include the lack of corporate sponsorship and funding. Unlike cricket, chess has not enjoyed major sponsorship deals from Indian corporations. Without financial backing, organizing a global tournament became difficult, forcing India to watch as other countries secured hosting rights.
While chess has always been popular among Indian intellectuals, there was little governmental push to host large-scale events. This changed only in recent years, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasizing India’s role as a global sports hub. FIDE has often awarded hosting rights to countries in Europe, Azerbaijan, and the Middle East, where chess infrastructure was more established. India’s successful bid for the 2025 World Cup is a result of persistent lobbying and growing international recognition of Indian chess players.
The long absence of such tournaments in India has led to a talent drain, with Indian players having to travel abroad for major tournaments, increasing financial burdens. Unlike cricket, chess remained a niche sport with limited public engagement, and India missed out on tourism and business opportunities associated with global sporting events. Economist and sports analyst Vivek Kaul observes, “India’s absence from the global hosting circuit has not only been a missed economic opportunity but also a loss of cultural prestige.”
The Benefits of Hosting the FIDE Chess World Cup
By securing the hosting rights for the 2025 World Cup, India stands to gain immensely across various domains. Major international sporting events attract tourism, foreign investments, and local business growth. The hospitality sector, transport services, and merchandising industries will see a surge in revenue. India has already proven itself as a chess powerhouse by producing young grandmasters. Hosting the World Cup further solidifies its position as a key player in the chess world. Chess journalist Susan Ninan notes, “For years, India has produced top players, but hosting the World Cup brings official validation. It’s an acknowledgment of India’s place in global chess.”
From event organizers to media personnel, translators, and chess analysts, the tournament will create numerous job opportunities and internships, benefiting India’s workforce. Indian players competing on home turf will have the advantage of familiar conditions and support from local audiences, potentially leading to better performances and victories.
A New Era for Indian Chess
The FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 in New Delhi is more than just a tournament—it’s a movement that will redefine India’s sports culture, balance regional disparities in chess, and solidify the country’s position as a global chess leader. The event comes at a time when Indian chess is experiencing a renaissance, with young prodigies like Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa making waves internationally. Hosting this tournament will not only nurture future grandmasters but also ensure that India remains at the forefront of world chess.
With renewed interest, increased investments, and better exposure, the future of Indian chess looks brighter than ever. Now, the responsibility lies with chess enthusiasts, players, and policymakers to make the most of this historic opportunity and ensure that India continues its journey towards becoming a true chess superpower.