The highly anticipated 2025 FIDE World Cup, originally scheduled to be held in New Delhi, may be relocated from the national capital to Goa, The Indian Express has learned.
“The talks are ongoing. While I can’t confirm anything at the moment, yes, Goa is the frontrunner to host the World Cup,” Mahesh Candolkar, president of the Goa Chess Association, told this newspaper.
The Delhi Chess Association, however, claims to have no information about this change.
“Normally, the All India Chess Federation (AICF) doesn’t organise events directly but through state associations. The Delhi Chess Association hasn’t been informed about any such development (relocation of the tournament),” said Bharat Singh Chauhan, former AICF secretary and current Delhi Chess Association president.
When asked about standard notification timelines regarding the potential relocation of the event, Chauhan added: “For an international event of this scale, state associations are typically informed six to seven months in advance (if it is to be relocated). We haven’t received any communication.”