The chess world is abuzz with the initial announcement of qualified players for one of the most critical events on the calendar: the FIDE Grand Swiss 2025. This tournament serves as a direct pathway to the prestigious Candidates Tournament, where challengers for the World Championship titles are determined.
Samarkand Sets the Stage
Scheduled to take place in the historic city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 3rd to 16th, 2025, this marks a significant moment. It`s the first time Uzbekistan will host the Grand Swiss, a nod to the nation`s rich chess heritage and its increasing prominence on the global stage.
High Stakes and Increased Purses
The importance of the Grand Swiss is underscored by what`s on the line: the top two finishers in both the Open and Women`s events will secure coveted spots in the 2026 Candidates Tournaments. The tension will undoubtedly be high as players battle for these limited opportunities.
Adding to the excitement, FIDE has significantly boosted the prize funds. The Open Grand Swiss now boasts a total prize fund of $625,000, a substantial 36% increase from the previous edition`s $460,000. The Women`s Grand Swiss sees an even more impressive jump, rising 64% from $140,000 to $230,000. While qualification for the Candidates is the ultimate goal, a larger financial incentive certainly sweetens the deal for the world`s elite.
The Field and Qualification Path
Both tournaments will follow an 11-round Swiss format, bringing together a formidable contingent of 170 players in total: 114 in the Open and 56 in the Women`s event. This format ensures a challenging and diverse array of opponents throughout the competition.
The lists recently released represent players who qualified based purely on their FIDE rating, provided they had played at least 30 rated games. Currently, 100 players have qualified for the Open and 44 for the Women`s event via this criterion. As expected, these lists feature many of the strongest players globally, eager to take their shot at the Candidates.
It`s important to note that these lists are not exhaustive. Additional spots in both tournaments will be filled through other qualification paths, including continental representation, nominations from the FIDE President, and selections made by the organizing committee. The final lineups promise to be packed with top talent.
The Road Continues
With the initial wave of qualifiers announced, the countdown to Samarkand 2025 officially begins. The FIDE Grand Swiss is a demanding test of skill, endurance, and nerve. As more players secure their places in the coming months, anticipation for this pivotal step towards the World Championship cycle will only grow.
Finley Holt 
Callum Darby