Latest news with #ArkadyDvorkovich
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Goa likely to be named Chess World Cup host
Bengaluru: Goa is likely to be announced as the host of the Chess World Cup, scheduled to take place in India later this year, HT has learnt. The October 31-November 27 tournament was originally supposed to be held in New Delhi. HT understands that after concerns over Delhi hosting the event arose, Chandigarh, Jaipur and Goa were considered as alternate venue options. Goa has now emerged as the preferred choice. 'There are some opinions from players and the chess community. Many players (had) different places, and I told them that let's try to do something new. Not repeating New Delhi, but doing it in some new location. So why not? It is good,' Fide president Arkady Dvorkovich told reporters in Stavanger a few days ago. India previously hosted a Fide World Cup over two decades ago. Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand had won that edition held in Hyderabad in 2002. One of Fide's flagship competitions, the World Cup, a knockout tournament held once every two years, will have 206 players participating. With a prize fund of around $2 million, the World Cup that Goa is set to host is particularly significant for the World Championship cycle. So far only one player – Fabiano Caruana of USA, has booked a spot in next year's eight-player, double round-robin Candidates tournament that will decide the challenger to reigning world champion Gukesh in the 2026 match. Of the seven remaining spots, three will be decided at the World Cup and will go to players who finish in the top three. In the previous edition of the World Cup held in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 2023, R Praggnanandhaa had made a historic run to the final – the first Indian player to do so after Anand. He lost to eventual champion, world No 1 Carlsen but had earned a spot in the Candidates for his performance.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
India is very important for FIDE: President Dvorkovich
STAVANGER: Arkady Dvorkovich, the president of FIDE, the world governing body for chess, has a lot on his tray. The venue for the upcoming World Cup in India is yet to be decided. The threat to Classical chess is real. Will sponsors walk out if Magnus Carlsen walks out? Dvorkovich, currently in Stavanger for Norway Chess, answered these questions to select Indian media. Excerpts: On the World Cup venue in India and why it's yet to be announced The location will be announced by one of the top officials in the Indian government. It may be made public in the next few days. We love all Indian locations. I have heard about the argument about pollution (in New Delhi in November) but, again, if the Indian government says it's going to be in New Delhi, we would not fight against it. It's a decision of the Indian government. What I would say is it's always good to take chess to new places, it's good to expand chess activities. On whether the Indian government has assured visas to all eligible players irrespective of their nationality Yes, that's the condition always. They also know about it, yes. It was the same at the Olympiad in Chennai. It's not going to be an issue, I think. On the importance of the Indian market to FIDE I know the top guys at the All India Chess Federation (AICF) and they are really committed to promoting chess. India is extremely important because it's one of the biggest countries in terms of population and chess audience. Given the success of players, people love watching and following. And for us, those numbers are really big. We already have some sponsors from India. Every year, we have some important events in India. On getting sponsors even without Carlsen We are still able to raise very reasonable prize funds without Magnus. Magnus would maybe increase that but numbers were already better even after Magnus left. For instance, at the World Championships in Singapore, we had bigger prize funds than for the previous World Championships. Magnus is a factor but not a decisive factor in raising funds for chess events. On the Magnus incident where he punched the chess board against D Gukesh It's a bit unusual, yes. But if there are no complaints... I think normally an arbiter should do some kind of a soft warning for that. But I would not call what Magnus did disrespectful. It was emotional and he was really disappointed.
Al Etihad
6 days ago
- General
- Al Etihad
UAE spearheading chess movement in the Gulf: FIDE in Norway
4 June 2025 23:49 STAVANGER (ALETIHAD)The UAE is fast solidifying its position as a global chess hub, the topmost two officials of the world chess body have President Arkady Dvorkovich and his deputy Viswanathan Anand have praised the dynamic growth of the sport in the Emirates while speaking at the sidelines of the Norway Chess Open on has already spoke to Aletihad about the UAE's organisational capabilities and major plans for the sport, when it was decided to award the 2028 Chess Olympiad to Abu Dhabi as UAE's chess ecosystem has seen remarkable growth, with established tournaments like the Dubai Open, Sharjah Open, and the Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival attracting global talent."The UAE likes to be at the centre of many things," said Anand, a five-time world champion and the Deputy President of FIDE, while talking to media on the second rest day of the Norway tournament, featuring world's top players such as Magnus Carlsen and reigning world champion D Gukesh. "They've been very active in chess, hosting events across the Emirates – Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah – and playing an important role.'Players love coming here, and the [UAE] national federation is very active – always thinking of new ways to promote the game,' he said. The UAE has also hosted many major events at the continental level such as Asian Individual Chess Championship last month in Al Ain, the home of the Asian Chess Federation president, Sheikh Sultan bin Khalifa bin Shakhbout Al also recalled his personal connection to Dubai's chess scene. 'When I was younger, tournaments in the Emirates were some of the most anticipated. The 1986 Olympiad in Dubai was a special moment – even then, Dubai was a fascinating place. I remember being amazed [later] by an ice rink in the desert [Ski Dubai], something unheard of at the time. From my first Olympiad in '86 to today, it has always been a special chess destination – and it just keeps getting better.'Abu Dhabi hosting the Chess Olympiad again [in the UAE] after 42 years shows how much the country and the region have embraced chess. It's a thrilling prospect for players and fans alike. It shows how far the UAE has come as a chess destination.' Dvorkovich also gave his nod: 'It's a huge milestone.'While on Dubai, the FIDE boss recalled the 2021 World Championship contest between Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi during the Dubai Expo 2020 when UAE demonstrated their ability to elevate chess into a global spectacle. "Dubai made it an international event, not just a local competition – that's what the city does best."And for both, the emergence of 15-year-old Rouda AlSerkal as the Gulf's first Woman Grandmaster has become a symbol of the UAE's chess ambitions. The Abu Dhabi resident's recent strong performances in international competitions, including in the open category of Norway Chess as a wild card, has many sit up and take notice."It's a wonderful surprise to see a young talent like Rouda breaking barriers," said Anand. "Her success has the potential to inspire countless girls across the region. It could be a game-changer for chess in the Middle East. Meanwhile, Dvorkovich also noted the strides of development being made in Qatar while looking at the broader picture in the Gulf region. Apart from hosting the Qatar Masters tournament, this December, Doha will host the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships for the first time. 'This is huge for the region,' Dvorkovich said. 'More wild cards will be given to players from the Gulf, and local spectators will experience world-class chess in a spectacular venue.' Source: Aletihad - Abu Dhabi
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First Post
14-05-2025
- Sport
- First Post
FIDE announces €1 million prize money, 'exciting' new format for World Rapid and Blitz Championships
Qatar capital Doha will be hosting the World Rapid and Blitz Championships from 26 to 31 December this year. Here's what's in store as far as the revamped format of the prestigious tournament is concerned, and how the prize money will be distributed. read more FIDE, the Switzerland-based global governing body for chess, has announced a prize fund of €1 million ($1.12 million) for the World Rapid and Blitz Championships that will take place later this year besides announcing 'format enhancements' for what is among the most prestigious events in the chess calendar. Out of the total prize money, €700,000 has been allocated for the 'Open' section with €300,000 reserved for the Women's Category. Additionally the format for the Rapid championship remains unchanged, with the 'Open' and 'Women' sections having 13 and 11 rounds respectively. The winner of the two sections will be decided through a tie-breaker in case there are multiple players finishing at the top spot. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD FIDE announces revamped format for Blitz championship FIDE, however, has unveiled a revamped format for the knockout stage of the World Blitz Championship, with the top four players from the Swiss stage of the tournament advancing directly to the semi-finals. The tournament previously had eight players advancing to the knockouts in the 'Open' as well as 'Women' sections. 'The new format is an exciting mix of the Swiss system and knockout. The increased number of rounds in the qualifying part ensures that the strongest players will progress to the knockout. Also, the final match-up is ideally scheduled to suit audiences across all major chess hubs. 'We are very excited about the event, and have already started preparations to produce the best quality broadcast for millions of spectators,' FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky was quoted by as saying. 'These format enhancements aim to make the event more dynamic while preserving the sport's integrity and excitement for both players and fans,' said FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich. Qatar capital Doha will be hosting the World Rapid and Blitz Championships from 26 to 31 December this year. The previous edition that took place in New York City witnessed the infamous 'Jeansgate' scandal in which world No 1 Magnus Carlsen found himself embroiled in a massive controversy for showing up during the Rapid tournament in a pair of jeans, and subsequently getting penalised after refusing to change into a pair of formal trousers. Carlsen also made headlines for the wrong reasons during the Blitz championship as well for sharing the title with Russian Grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi after a viral backstage video showed the two having a chat, with the Norwegian chess icon allegedly telling his opponent to play out a series of draws and force FIDE to hand the trophy to both of them. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy, meanwhile, had been crowned women's world rapid champion – becoming only the second player to win the title more than once.
