Live games will be daily on Chessdom.com. For more events from Norway, check out The European Chess Calendar, which is part of The Chess Calendar.

Women World Chess Cup 2025: All news / Round 1 pairings

Check out Chessdom’s main page for more news and coverage from the Women’s World Cup 2025.

The Prime Minister of China HE Li Qiang is visiting the 5-star hotel Rodos Palace these days, the venue of the upcoming WCF Rodos International Tournament in Greece. WCF organizers said, “We are always honored to co-operate with Rodos Palace, a hotel preferred by famous politicians, celebrities and businesses for many years now.”

Visit the official website of the WCF https://worldchessfestival.com and for more events see the European Chess Calendar

The tournament will be a 9-round Swiss, FIDE rated and open to all players with a FIDE ID number. The time limit for each player is 90 minutes for 40 moves + 15 minutes for the rest of the game + 30 seconds increment for every move played, starting from the 1st move.

Participants

Grand Chess Tour 2025 so far

Warsaw: Grand Chess Tour 2025 Warsaw (replay) / Grand Chess Tour 2025 – Warsaw, Rapid info
Bucharest: Grand Chess Tour 2025 – Bucharest (replay) / Grand Chess Tour 2025 – Bucharest, Classical info
Zagreb: Grand Chess Tour 2025 – Zagreb (replay) / Carlsen wins Grand Chess Tour Croatia
Next: Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz 2025 and Sinquefield Cup

The World Champion Gukesh dominated the rapid section of the Grand Chess Tour Croatia, co-leading after day 1, continuing to sole lead in day 2, and finally Gukesh finished top of the table after the rapid stage. However, things turned around in the blitz, after a Carlsen turned on beast mode in blitz day 1 and collected 7,5/9. Carlsen finished the job in the second day of the blitz, scoring 5,0/9

This is the sixth consecutive tournament victory for Magnus Carlsen this year. Carlsen celebrated it with a cryptic tweet

After his victory, Magnus Carlsen stated that his victory was mainly due to his first blitz day play. “From the morning I felt this will be a tough day. […] It was a very tough tournament, very strong field […] and I am happy to come out on top.” See the whole interview with Magnus Carlsen here.

The quick draw of Gukesh and Carlsen in day 2

Carlsen misses the blitz record

Vladimir Fedoseev had a standout performance in the 2025 Grand Chess Tour, particularly in the Superbet Rapid & Blitz Poland, the first event of the tour held from April 26–30 in Warsaw. As a wildcard participant, Fedoseev dominated the tournament, securing the title with three rounds to spare and finishing with an impressive 26.5/36 points, one of the highest scores in Grand Chess Tour rapid and blitz history, only surpassed by Magnus Carlsen (27 points in Kolkata 2019) and Fabiano Caruana (27 points in Zagreb 2024). He remained undefeated in the rapid portion, scoring 11/18, and lost only one game out of 27 across both rapid and blitz, against Jan-Krzysztof Duda in Blitz Round 12. In the blitz portion, he scored a record-breaking 15.5/18, eclipsing Carlsen and Firouzja’s previous best. In Croatia Carlsen had the chance to surpass the record of Fedoseev, after starting with 7,5/9 the blitz section of the Grand Chess Tour Croatia. See more here

The Grand Chess Tour Croatia will be daily live on Chessdom.com. The participants include Magnus Carlsen, Anish Giri, Gukesh Dommaraju, Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa, Ivan Saric, Alireza Firouzja, Fabiano Caruana, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Wesley So, Jan-Krzysztof Duda

Warsaw: Grand Chess Tour 2025 Warsaw (replay) / Grand Chess Tour 2025 – Warsaw, Rapid info
Bucharest: Grand Chess Tour 2025 – Bucharest (replay) / Grand Chess Tour 2025 – Bucharest, Classical info
Next: Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz 2025 and Sinquefield Cup

Grand Chess Tour Croatia 2025 live games rapid

The second place after the rapid is for Jan-Krzysztof Duda, who was the only one to score a full point against Gukesh and was chasing him in the standings until the very end of the rapid section. (stay tuned for updates) Scroll down for the full results

The blitz section starts tomorrow and you can follow it here. The winner of the whole SuperUnited Rapid and Blitz is the winner of the combined standings.

The SuperUnited Rapid & Blitz Croatia 2025 aka Grand Chess Tour Zagreb 2025, part of the Grand Chess Tour, is scheduled for June 30 to July 7, 2025, in Zagreb, Croatia, at The Westin Zagreb Hotel. This is the third leg of the 2025 Grand Chess Tour, marking its 10th anniversary, and features a 10-player round-robin tournament with a $175,000 prize fund. The Grand Chess Tour in Zagreb is among the Top tournaments in The Chess Calendar. It continues with the blitz section of the tournament, join us on Chessdom for the live coverage.

More: Grand Chess Tour Croatia 2025 LIVE rapid / Grand Chess Tour 2025 Rapid Zagreb information / Grand Chess Tour 2025 – Zagreb Blitz information / Pairings

Grand Chess Tour Croatia results

As of today, the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission (EDC) Appeal Chamber has rendered its final decision in Case 05/2025(A), extending the disciplinary sanction imposed by the United States Chess Federation (USCF) against GM Christopher Yoo to a worldwide level. Following a request from the USCF, FIDE has determined that the one-year suspension issued by the USCF – effective from November 15, 2024, to November 14, 2025 – shall now apply globally. During this period, GM Yoo is barred from participating in any FIDE-rated events. This follows a disciplinary process arising from an incident at the US Chess Championship, where GM Yoo physically assaulted a member of the broadcast team. The EDC Appeal Chamber concluded that the USCF’s investigation and sanction were conducted fairly and in line with due process. In addition, GM Yoo will be subject to a five-year probation period through November 14, 2030. Any similar misconduct during this time may lead to further disciplinary action.

The EDC Appeal Chamber had the following composition – Chairperson: Mrs. Yolander Persaud; Members: Mr Khaled Arfa and Mr. Alan Borda

This is the second major action by FIDE in recent days, after the FIDE strong statement on the Kramnik vs Navara case

Update: Christopher Yoo has reacted to the worldwide extension of the ban. The full story Christopher Yoo: “I am a strong person, I will come back in 4.5 months” , see the timeline of events below

Timeline of the Christopher Yoo case

16.10.2024 Christopher Yoo – Fabiano Caruana round 5 game
16.10.2024 Christopher Yoo is expelled from the US Championship and banned from St Louis Chess Club
17.10.2024 Chris Bird, “The punch by Christopher Yoo was completely unprovoked, from behind and in no way accidental”
17.10.2024 USCF suspends Christopher Yoo
17.10.2024 WICF with a statement on the assault of a videographer by GM Christopher Yoo
17.10.2024 Christopher Yoo is charged with fourth-degree assault by the St. Louis police
17.10.2024 Levon Aronian: Christopher Yoo’s punch was well prepared against an innocent person
18.10.2024 Vasif Durarbayli on the Christopher Yoo case
18.10.2024 Chris Bird: To anyone saying Christopher Yoo was somehow provoked by the victim, stop it
19.10.2024 Levon Aronian, “Young people should understand that terrible decisions leave a lasting impact”
20.10.2024 Christopher Yoo parents issue an apology
21.10.2024 Christopher Yoo issues personal apology
28.04.2025 IA Chris Bird: “It is unclear who dropped the ball on GM Christopher Yoo, but he is playing in Europe”
03.05.2025 Christopher Yoo wins Sardinia
09.05.2025 Christopher Yoo wins Freestyle event
09.05.2025 GM Christopher Yoo suspended by FIDE Ethics Commission
11.05.2025 Christopher Yoo’s FIDE suspension is a result of harassment complaint
01.07.2025 FIDE extends sanction against GM Christopher Yoo to a worldwide level
01.07.2025 Christopher Yoo: “I am a strong person, I will come back in 4.5 months”

“CASE NO: 05/2025 (A): REQUEST FOR WORLDWIDE EXTENSION OF BAN IMPOSED BY THE USCF”, issued by the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission – Appeal Chamber:

FIDE ETHICS AND DISCIPLINARY COMMISSION
APPEAL CHAMBER

The EDC Appeal Chamber, sitting in the following composition –

Chairperson: Mrs. Yolander Persaud
Members: Mr. Khaled Arfa
     Mr. Alan Borda

In accordance with Article 26.4 of the FIDE Charter, hereby renders the following:

DECISION

CASE NO: 05/2025 (A): REQUEST FOR WORLDWIDE EXTENSION OF BAN IMPOSED BY THE USCF

1. This is a request for a worldwide extension of the scope of a national disciplinary decision—a decision by the United States Chess Federation (USCF) rendered on 15th November 2024.
2. The USCF suspended GM Christopher Yoo’s US chess membership for one (1) year effective November 15, 2024, through November 14, 2025, followed by a period of probation of five (5) years (until November 14, 2030).
3. The parties:
    3.1. The Appellant is the USCF.
    3.2. The Respondent is GM Christopher Yoo.
4. The Appeal Chamber is required to assess the due process of the national decision made by the USCF:

 4.1. On October 16, 2024 the Respondent Christopher Yoo punched […] (a broadcast team member) on her upper back as he walked past her, unprovoked, after losing his game in round five.

 4.2. GM Yoo violated the Safe Play Guidelines and Policy of the USCF, which corresponds to a breach of the EDC Code, particularly Art 6.8, Art 11.9 (a), (d) and (e), and was sanctioned by the USCF accordingly.

5. On the 27th March 2025 the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission (EDC) received a Request against the respondent by the USCF, for a worldwide extension of a ban imposed at the national level against him.
6. The EDC Chairwoman, pursuant to her powers in terms of Article 18.1 of the EDC Procedural Rules, provisionally suspended the Respondent for 60 days from the 9th May 2025, until 8th July 2025, following the receipt of a second complaint against the respondent.
7. Article 4.15 of the EDC Code and Rule 78 of the EDC Procedural Rules allows for the EDC to apply worldwide extension of the scope of a national disciplinary decision, upon request. The conviction must concern a disciplinary offence which corresponds to a breach of the Code. The key consideration in such a request by a national federation is that their decision must be in compliance with the fundamental principles of law and fair trial, which includes inter alia, the right to be heard and the right to a fair hearing.

Discussion

8. The facts established in the USCF proceedings, including video evidence, witness testimony and the respondent’s own admission, supports the conclusion that guilt has been clearly proven and the disciplinary process was fairly conducted. The physical assault occurred during a high-profile national championship, which also served as a FIDE zonal tournament. Therefore, it contained international characteristics. Given the international relevance of the event and the respondent’s standing as a top player, a global response is necessary to preserve the integrity of chess competition and uphold ethical standards.
9. The EDC is comfortably satisfied that the USCF’s decision was adequately motivated and made in compliance with fundamental principles of law and fair trial.

SANCTION

10. Upon due consideration, the EDC Appeal Chamber, by unanimity of its members, finds regarding the matter of an appropriate sanction that:

 10.1. The ban by the USCF against the respondent is extended worldwide, until 14th November 2025, to coincide with the national sanction. For the avoidance of doubt the respondent is sanctioned from participating in any FIDE rated event as a player.

 10.2. The Respondent will be on probation for five years after the sanction has expired, i.e. until 14th November 2030. During the period of probation, should the respondent be found guilty of any other similar. The probation serves as a vital safeguard to deter future misconduct and must be enforceable in all FIDE-affiliated events.

11. In accordance with Article 17.2 and 17.4 of the EDC Code and Procedural Rule 73.1, this final decision of the Appeal Chamber is appealable to the CAS within 21 (twenty-one) days following communication of this decision.
12. The FIDE Office is requested to communicate this decision forthwith to the Respondent and the Applicant and to publish the decision on the FIDE website in due course.

DATED ON THIS 30th day of June 2025.

APPEAL CHAMBER Chairperson
FIDE ETHICS & DISCIPLINARY COMMISSION

Live: Under 8 open / Under 8 girls / Under 10 open / Under 10 girls / Under 12 open / Under 12 girls

The FIDE World Cup Cadets 2025 will be daily live on Chessdom. For more continental events, check out The Chess Calendar

FIDE World Cup Cadets 2025 final LIVE

FIDE World Cup Cadets 2025 LIVE

This is the third edition of the FIDE Women’s World Cup. The first one was in Sochi in 2021 and was won by Alexandra Kosteniuk. The second one was in Baku in 2023 and was won by Aleksandra Goryachkina. Now both of them will participate in the FIDE Women’s World Chess Cup 2025 in Batumi together with a strong field of world’s best players.

Participants in the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 / FIDE Women’s World Cup round 1 pairings / Live games

The qualification paths for the Women’s World Cup are detailed in the FIDE regulations and the main chess body has been updating the participants list regularly. As of yesterday, 104 of the 107 participants were known – missing only the two FIDE President Nominees and the Hong Kong nomination. FIDE announced the two FIDE President Nominees, leaving out a long list of players including 47 from the World Top 100. In the next 24 hours erratic changes were brought without official explanation , leading to confusion among the chess fans. Despite all this, the situation now looks stable and everyone is looking forward to the most important FIDE women knockout event in The Chess Calendar

FIDE Press release on the Women’s World Cup

Batumi will host the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 from the 5^th to the 29^th of July. Chess legends, seasoned professionals and emerging talents will play for the $50.000 first prize, in addition to three qualifying spots for the Candidates. 

Starting next Saturday, July 5^th, the 2022 best “secret” European destination and the second most important city in Georgia, will be the venue of the new edition of the FIDE Women’s World Cup, one of the most important tournaments on the international chess calendar. 

Georgia has a rich history and strong tradition in women’s chess, producing legendary players and consistently achieving high-level results. 

Home to chess legends like Nona Gaprindashvili, the first woman to be awarded the title of Grandmaster, and Maia Chiburdanidze, who became the youngest Women’s World Champion at the time, Georgia has a proud tradition of women excelling in the game, with a strong national team and international success. Known among many other things for its beautiful Black Sea coastline, Batumi, host of the 2018 Chess Olympiad, will gather the world’s top female chess players in a battle for glory. 

As FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky noted, “The Georgian Chess Federation doesn’t just talk about supporting women’s chess – they deliver, time and again. By bringing the FIDE Women’s World Cup to Batumi, they once again demonstrate their deep commitment at the highest level. We are happy to continue this strong cooperation and grateful for their unwavering dedication to our sport.”

Located just 3km from the airport, the five-star Grand Bellagio Convention & Casino Hotel will host the competition. The venue is already operating with full force and activity – more than 300 players (Live: Under 8 open / Under 8 girls / Under 10 open / Under 10 girls / Under 12 open / Under 12 girls) from nearly 40 countries are currently contesting the FIDE World Cup U-8, U-10, U-12!

As if the total prize fund of $691,250 USD, with $50,000 going to the winner, wasn’t enough to whet the players’ appetites, the FIDE World Cup also awards three spots to the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament to be held in the first half of 2026, setting the stage for the next World Championship cycle.

The knock-out tournament will be played along seven rounds – all rounds shall be played with two classical game matches, plus a tiebreak when necessary.   Unlike previous editions, the tournament will not be held in parallel with the FIDE World Cup 2025, scheduled for November.  

Who to look out for?

A total of 107 of the best players in the world, playing from 46 different federations, are set to participate in the event, including seventeen of the current top twenty! 

Bearing in mind that it’s a knockout tournament and that the twenty strongest players are all situated in a range of barely 100 rating points (it’s anyone’s game!), here are a few picks to watch out for, including seasoned professionals and young prospects!  

Lei Tingjie (2552), Zhu Jiner (2547) and Tan Zhongyi (2546) – the Chinese squad of GM’s top the first three spots in the starting list, a force to be reckoned with. Any one of them has the strength and experience to go deep in the event. Tan Zhongyi, who previously finished third in Sochi 2021 and fourth in Baku 2023, is excited about the event on and off the board. “Batumi is a beautiful city, and before diving into the hectic World Cup journey, I plan to thoroughly enjoy the local scenery.  I’m really looking forward to visiting Batumi!” she shared.   

Nurgyul Salimova, the 2023 Baku silver medalist, is another rising star to keep an eye on. Reflecting on her journey, she says, “Baku was a big moment for me. Now, I am focused on Batumi and ready for the challenge!”

Humpy Koneru – rated 2543, seed number four, she recently took first in the Pune Grand Prix. The Indian team won the 2024 Budapest Olympic gold – will Koneru, Harika, Vaishali or Divya be able to keep up the good form in Batumi?  

Aleksandra Goryachkina – currently rated 2533, the fourth-highest rated women of all time, will be looking to defend her Baku 2023 title.   

Alexandra Kosteniuk – rated 2474, Kosteniuk sports an amazing career full of important triumphs, including the Sochi 2021 Women’s World Cup 

Anna Muzychuk – rated 2535, the older of the two Muzychuk sisters is on a roll in 2025, winning two Women’s Grand Prix events (Austria and Cyprus) in addition to the recent Norway Chess Women’s tournament. 

Carissa Yip – rated 2431, the 21-year-old U.S. number one player has just taken down the 2025 Cairns Cup, completing a GM norm and winning $65,000 USD! 

Divya Deshmukh –  rated 2463, 19-year-old Divya has already won three Olympic gold medals and recently defeated world number one Hou Yifan in the World Rapid Team Championship! 

Additionally, all the Georgian top contenders – Dzagnidze, Batsiashvili, Arabidze, Javakhishvili and Khotenashvili – will have a serious chance at a deep run. Playing on home turf, they will definitely be cheered on by all the local fans.   

Interesting first round clashes 

86 of the 107 players will kick off the tournament on round one, while the top 21 main seeds will enjoy a bye, joining the winners directly in the second round.

The rating gap between players in the first round is quite large – few serious upsets are to be expected. However, every event produces a few surprises, in which the underdog overpowers the favourite, but it’s very hard to pinpoint on which boards that might happen.

Nonetheless, due to the special format of the tournament, the closest first round pairings occur on the last board. Dare I say that most of the upsets will occur on boards 30 to 43.

The tournament will be streamed live on FIDE’s YouTube channel with expert commentary by GM Valeriane Gaprindashvili, WGM Almira Skripchenko (from round 2 onwards), and WGM Keti Tsatsalashvili (for round one). Almira shared her excitement: “As a commentator, the Women’s World Cup is a very special event for me, its unfolding intensity is truly captivating! I will be there for every single move, right until the very end, living vicariously and leaving with the winners.”

Official website: womenscup2025.fide.com/

The 18th Philadelphia Open is part of The Chess Calendar and the North America Chess Calendar.

18th Philadelphia International Open Chess Tournament Participants