FIDE Grand Swiss 2025, September 3–16

[Mick Norris]

Announcement

The 2025 FIDE Grand Swiss and Women’s Grand Swiss will take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 3–16, 2025. This marks the first time the prestigious event will be held in Uzbekistan, a country with a rich chess heritage and a rapidly growing influence in the global chess community.

As one of the most significant events in the chess calendar, the FIDE Grand Swiss offers players a direct pathway to the Candidates Tournament. The top two finishers in the Grand Swiss will secure spots in the 2026 Candidates Tournament

In addition to its importance as a qualifier, the event will feature an increased prize fund. The Open prize fund has been boosted from $460,000 to $625,000—a 36% increase

Both tournaments will follow an 11-round Swiss format, with 170 players participating from across the globe: 114 in the Grand Swiss and 56 in the Women’s Grand Swiss.

So far, 100 players have qualified for the 2025 Grand Swiss by rating, while the Women’s Grand Swiss has 44 qualifiers. Only players who played at least 30 rated games are eligible. The final lists of participants will be confirmed after Continent spots, players nominated by the FIDE President and players nominated by the Organiser are announced.

Open qualified players 100, including Vitiugov, Adams, Maroroa Jones, plus 10 reserves, including McShane

[Mick Norris]

Players

FIDE

Young Indians headline the list of the Open competition, with Arjun Erigaisi (21) and World Champion Gukesh D (19) seeded as the top two, while Praggnanandhaa R (19) is ranked fourth, just behind Nodirbek Abdusattorov (20). Another star youngster, 22-year-old world number eight, Alireza Firouzja is ranked fifth.

The remainder of the top ten is made up of more seasoned Grandmasters – two-time world champion candidate Ian Nepomniachtchi, Anish Giri, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Levon Aronian and Vladimir Fedoseev.

Further bolstering the young presence at the event are Hans Niemann (22), Vincent Keymer (20), Javokhir Sindarov (19), Nihal Sarin (20) and Awonder Liang (22), who are all among the top 20.

Former candidate for the title of World Champion Boris Gelfand, as well as former Women’s World Championship challenger Aleksandra Goryachkina will also play in the Open, after receiving wildcard invitations.

The rule requiring 30+ classical rated games between July 2024 and June 2025 has excluded several high-profile names, including two former world champions – Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand, as well as heavyweights who participated in previous Grand Swiss tournaments – Le Quang Liem and Peter Svidler.

Although qualifying by rating, former World Champion Ding Liren will not be participating in the event. Fabiano Caruana – who played in all three previous Grand Swiss tournaments – will also not be taking part, having already secured a spot in the 2026 Candidates Tournament by winning the 2024 FIDE Circuit.

[Roger de Coverly]

Just one ENG player, Vitiugov at 31.

[NickFaulks]

Just one ENG player, Vitiugov at 31.

Presumably the others have said they don't want to go.

[Mick Norris]

Press conference

Pairings

Top 2 go to the Candidates; slight increase in pressure as Nakamura intends to secure the rating spot

[Christopher Kreuzer]

The article Mick linked above on Nakamura is really good:

https://www.chess.com/news/view/nakamur ... candidates

Well worth reading.

EDIT: I wonder if Carlsen would deny Nakamura by taking up the ratings qualification spot...

[Matt Mackenzie]

Really can't see that happening, frankly I doubt if Magnus will ever compete for the world title again.

[Roger de Coverly]

The article Mick linked above on Nakamura is really good:

Nakamura playing in a local rated event to get enough games to satisfy the activity requirement for a rating based qualification.

[Mick Norris]

Updated dress code

Now, 'classic jeans' (not ripped ones) are also permitted. Plain trainers may also be worn.

[LawrenceCooper]

Updated dress code

Now, 'classic jeans' (not ripped ones) are also permitted. Plain trainers may also be worn.

What about Burberry sneakers?

[Matt Mackenzie]

The article Mick linked above on Nakamura is really good:

Nakamura playing in a local rated event to get enough games to satisfy the activity requirement for a rating based qualification.

Shades of Ding Liren a few years ago.

[NickFaulks]

Shades of Ding Liren a few years ago.

That wasn't ideal, but at least he had an excuse in the Chinese lockdown rules.

Nakamura will also gain valuable rating points by beating a bunch of pretty average club players. We closed that loophole in 2021 after years of fighting but the change survived for only two years before it was brought back under political pressure.

[NickFaulks]

In the Women's event, the top twelve seeds have accumulated +1 =3 -8. This is the first round of a Swiss!

[Roger de Coverly]

In the Women's event, the top twelve seeds have accumulated +1 =3 -8. This is the first round of a Swiss!

chess-results links (not yet updated as of 16:45 BST)

Open
https://s3.chess-results.com/tnr1246285 ... 0&SNode=S0
Women
https://s2.chess-results.com/tnr1246286 ... 0&SNode=S0

There's not a great rating difference, so perhaps the result isn't so extreme.

[NickFaulks]

Looks extreme to me, enough to make me wonder whether the names might be the wrong way round ( Lichess broadcast ).