The FIDE World Cup 2025 was played as a single-elimination knock-out tournament and witnessed 206 players from 82 countries aiming for glory in a competition and also three spots in the Candidates 2026.

FIDE World Cup 2025: Javokhir Sindarov crowned champion after tense tiebreak against Wei Yi

FIDE World Cup 2025: Wei Yi and Sindarov set for tiebreak, Esipenko secures Candidates spot

Abhinav Bindra, who bagged the 10m Air Rifle gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and gave every Indian sportsperson the belief that they can also aim for world glory, was in Goa to witness some top-quality chess action.

Olympic gold medallist Abhinav Bindra takes a shot at chess at the FIDE World Cup

In the third-place play-off, GM Nodirbek Yakubboev opted for the Sicilian defence and had to dig himself out of a hole in the middle game.

FIDE World Cup 2025: Wei Yi holds Sindarov with black in first game of final; Esipenko beats Yakubboev

While Sindarov and Wei will now play to decide who takes home the Viswanathan Anand Cup, Nodirbek and Esipenko will face-off for the third and final Candidates Spots.

FIDE World Cup 2025: Javokhir Sindarov, Wei Yi seal Candidates spot after winning respective semifinals

The second game between Nordirbek and Sindarov went the same way as the first as both the players were happy to play solid and safe chess till the mandatory 30 move threshold before agreeing for a draw.

FIDE World Cup 2025: Both semifinals advance to tiebreak after another day of draws

Back after 23 years in India, the FIDE World Cup in India’s Goa has been a success story with 206 Grandmasters competing for the third most important chess tournament. While the tournament is still on, WION exclusively caught up with Abhijit Kunte, Tournament Director for FIDE World Cup 2025.

Exclusive: 'Chess is already a brand in India,' says Abhijit Kunte as India successfully hosts FIDE World Cup 2025

While Nodirbek Yakubboev signed the truce pact with compatriot GM Javokhir Sindarov immediately after the mandatory 30 moves, Wei Yi and GM Andrey Esipenko had their chances but could not convert and ended up splitting the point after 33 moves.

FIDE World Cup 2025: First game of Wei Yi-Esipenko, Nodirbek-Sindarov semifinals end in a draw

Ahead of the FIDE World Cup semifinal clash, Javokhir Sindarov exclusively spoke to WION’s Aditya Pimpale and reflected on his journey. He also spoke on The Candidates as he now stands a win away from reaching the prestigious tournament set to be held in 2026.

Exclusive: Javokhir Sindarov focused on FIDE World Cup semis, Candidates qualification not in mind

WION exclusively spoke to Grandmaster Srinath Narayanan as he gave insights on Arjun Erigaisi's defeat to China’s GM Wei Yi.

Exclusive: GM Srinath Narayanan reflects on Arjun Erigaisi's quarterfinal exit at FIDE World Cup 2025

FIDE World Cup 2025: India’s challenge ends at quarter-final stage as Arjun goes down against Wei Yi in tiebreak

Having played a quick draw with black on Monday, Arjun Erigaisi expectedly looked for a win with white and it looked like the highest ranked player left in the competition had gained an upper hand in the middle game.

FIDE World Cup 2025: Arjun Erigaisi, Wei Yi quarters heads to tiebreak; Nodirbek Abdusattorov seals semis spot

A notable highlight was Arjun Erigaisi's exceptional speed of play—he finished the game with more time on his clock than he started with, reflecting both confidence and preparation.

FIDE World Cup 2025: Arjun Erigaisi draws quarterfinal Game 1; Nodirbek Yakubboev scores sole win

FIDE World Cup 2025: Arjun Erigaisi carries India’s lone challenge after Harikrishna exits

FIDE World Cup 2025: Arjun beats Aronian with black pieces to reach quarterfinals; Harikrishna to play tiebreak

FIDE World Cup 2025: Arjun and Harikrishna draw opening game of round 5

FIDE World Cup 2025: Arjun, Harikrishna advance to pre-quarters; R Praggnanandhaa crashes out

FIDE World Cup 2025: Praggnanandhaa survives scare; Arjun, Karthik, Harikrishna draw first game of round 4

FIDE World Cup 2025: Vidit Gujrathi crashes out; Karthik Venkataraman continues dream run

FIDE World Cup 2025: World champion Gukesh D crashes out; four Indians progress to round 4

FIDE World Cup 2025: Arjun Erigaisi and Harikrishna shine; Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa play out draw with black pieces

FIDE World Cup 2025: Vidit Gujrathi ends 12-year-old Faustino Oro’s dream run; Pranav, Pranesh and Praggnanandhaa also advance

FIDE World Cup 2025: Vidit ends 12-year-old Faustino Oro’s dream run; Pranav, Pranesh and Praggnanandhaa also advance

FIDE World Cup 2025: India’s Narayanan, Diptayan, Aronyak progress to second round

FIDE World Cup 2025: Pranav, Pranesh and Ganguly off to winning start; Divya Deshmukh goes down fighting

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FIDE World Cup 2025: Javokhir Sindarov crowned champion after tense tiebreak against Wei Yi

FIDE World Cup: Wei Yi vs Sindarov tiebreak, Esipenko qualifies for Candidates

Abhinav Bindra takes a shot at chess at the FIDE World Cup 2025

FIDE World Cup 2025: Wei Yi holds Sindarov with black in first game of final

FIDE WC 25: Sindarov, Wei Yi seal Candidates spot after winning respective semis

FIDE WC 2025: Both semifinals advance to tiebreak after another day of draws

Exclusive: 'Chess is already a brand in India,' says Abhijit Kunte on FIDE WC

FIDE WC: First game of Wei Yi-Esipenko, Nodirbek-Sindarov semis ends in draw

Exclusive: Sindarov focused on WC semis, Candidates qualification not in mind

Exclusive: GM Narayanan reflects on Arjun's QF exit at FIDE World Cup 2025

FIDE World Cup 2025: India’s challenge ends as Arjun goes down against Wei Yi

FIDE World Cup 2025: Arjun Erigaisi, Wei Yi quarters heads to tiebreak

FIDE World Cup 2025: Arjun Erigaisi draws QF Game 1; Yakubboev scores sole win

FIDE World Cup 2025: Arjun Erigaisi carries India’s lone challenge after Harikrishna exits

FIDE World Cup 2025: Arjun beats Aronian with black pieces to reach last eight

FIDE World Cup 2025: Arjun and Harikrishna draw opening game of round 5

FIDE World Cup 2025: Arjun, Harikrishna advance; R Praggnanandhaa crashes out

Praggnanandhaa survives scare; Arjun, Karthik, Harikrishna split points

FIDE World Cup 2025: Vidit Gujrathi crashes out; Karthik continues dream run

FIDE World Cup 2025: World champion Gukesh D crashes out

FIDE World Cup 2025: Arjun Erigaisi and Harikrishna shine with dominating wins

FIDE World Cup: India's dominant run continues as Vidit, Pranav, Pranesh advance

FIDE World Cup 2025: India’s Narayanan, Diptayan, Aronyak march to second round

FIDE World Cup 2025: Pranav, Pranesh and Ganguly shine; Divya goes down fighting