FIDE Chess World Cup Trophy Renamed After Viswanathan Anand

In a landmark moment for Indian sports, the FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 trophy has been renamed after Indian chess icon Viswanathan Anand. The new trophy will officially be called the Viswanathan Anand Cup, paying tribute to the five-time world champion’s unparalleled contributions to global chess.

The announcement was made during a grand ceremony held in Panjim, Goa, attended by Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, and FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich.

Highlights of the FIDE Chess World Cup 2025

The upcoming FIDE Chess World Cup 2025 promises to be an exciting tournament featuring top talents from around the world.

• Indian stars D. Gukesh and R. Praggnanandhaa are among the key participants, aiming to make their mark on the global stage.
• However, Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura have opted not to participate this year.
• The World Women’s Chess Cup champion Divya Deshmukh conducted the draw of lots for the event.
• A total of 206 players from 80 countries will compete across eight knockout rounds of classical games.

Legacy of Viswanathan Anand

Known as the “Tiger of Madras”, Viswanathan Anand is widely regarded as India’s first chess Grandmaster and a five-time World Chess Champion. His achievements not only popularized chess in India but also paved the way for a new generation of talents like Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, and Nihal Sarin.

The naming of the FIDE World Cup trophy after him marks a historic global recognition of his decades-long contribution to the game.