Bhubaneswar : The FIDE Grand Swiss Chess Tournament 2025 kicked off with a bang in the historic city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 2 to 16, 2025. Reigning World Champion D. Gukesh Dommaraju set an impressive tone by clinching a victory in the opening round against the formidable Etienne Bacrot. The prestigious event, held at the Silk Road EXPO, is attracting global chess talents with a prize fund of $855,000 and is a key stepping stone for qualification to the 2026 Candidates Tournament, where the challenger for the World Chess Championship 2026 will be decided.
The tournament’s atmosphere was electrifying as 172 players, including India’s top rankers Gukesh, R. Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, and Divya Deshmukh, battled it out in 11 rounds following the Swiss system. While Gukesh’s aggressive gameplay led him to a victorious start, Praggnanandhaa opted for a strategically cautious approach, securing a well-fought draw against American Grandmaster Jeffery Xiong. Gukesh expressed his enthusiasm about the tournament saying, “It’s nice to be back here in Samarkand. Although there’s no need for me to qualify, I think this is still a great tournament… There are not many super strong open Swiss tournaments.”
Samarkand, a city famous for its ancient Silk Route heritage, has become a significant chess arena, highly praised by officials including FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich and Uzbekistan’s Minister of Youth Policy and Sports Adham Ikramov. This tournament not only tests the skill and endurance of the players but also serves as a dress rehearsal for the 2026 Chess Olympiad scheduled in the same city. With excitement building for the rounds ahead, chess enthusiasts worldwide are keenly watching as hungry competitors strive for a place in the upcoming Candidates Tournament.
The grand chess festival also highlights the steady rise of Asian and Indian chess players on the world stage, with Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa demonstrating resilience and tactical brilliance, symbolizing the new generation of elite competitors ready to challenge for the world title. The 2025 FIDE Grand Swiss promises to deliver riveting matches and stellar performances in one of the world’s most challenging open tournaments.
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