World Chess Championship – Complete Guide & 2025 Preview

World Chess Championship 2025 – What to Expect

There will be no classical World Chess Championship match in 2025. The next title contest is scheduled for 2026 and will follow the current format of 14 classical games, with rapid and blitz tiebreaks if needed. This year is dedicated to the qualification phase that determines the lineup for the 2026 Candidates Tournament — the event that decides who will challenge the reigning champion.

The key qualifying events in 2025 are:

• The FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 — is scheduled for September 2–16, 2025, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The top two finishers will secure spots in the Candidates Tournament.
  
  Full player lists and regulations are available on the official FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 page.
  

• FIDE World Cup 2025 — held in India from October 30 to November 27, 2025. This massive knockout event will award three Candidates spots.
  
  Event details can be found on the FIDE World Cup 2025 announcement.
  

• FIDE Circuit 2025 — a year-long points race across elite tournaments, with the winner earning the final Candidates spot.
  
  

Even without a championship match, 2025 will be an exciting year for fans following the chess World Championship schedule. The drama of the Grand Swiss and the World Cup will shape the path to the next World Championship chess showdown in 2026.

What Is the World Chess Championship?

The most prominent title in the sport, the World Chess Championship, is given to the champion of a traditional match between the current champ and a challenger. The challenger earns the right to play in the match by qualifying through a two-year cycle of events, which includes tournaments such as the World Cup, the Grand Swiss, and the Candidates Tournament.

The championship match currently consists of 14 classical games, with the first player to reach 7.5 points declared the winner. If the match ends in a tie, rapid and blitz games are played as tiebreaks until a champion is decided. Since 2006, the event has been fully unified and organized under the authority of FIDE, the International Chess Federation.

Recent World Chess Championships (2020–2024)

The last few years have produced some of the most memorable title matches in modern chess championships:

• 2021 (Dubai, UAE) – Magnus Carlsen defended his title against Ian Nepomniachtchi, winning 7.5–3.5 in dominant fashion.
  

• 2023 (Astana, Kazakhstan) – Ding Liren defeated Ian Nepomniachtchi after a 7–7 tie in classical games, prevailing 2.5–1.5 in rapid tiebreaks to become China’s first-ever World Champion.
  

• 2024 (Singapore) – In the chess World Championship 2024, Gukesh Dommaraju defeated Ding Liren 7.5–6.5, becoming the youngest undisputed World Champion.
  
  

These matches form the core of the chess championship schedule, with the title contest traditionally taking place every two years. If you want to recreate these iconic matches at home, explore our FIDE-Approved Chess Sets used in professional events.

World Chess Champions List (1886–2024)

The history of the World chess championship spans well over a century, showcasing the greatest players of each era. Here is an overview of champions from the very beginning to the present day:

Pre-FIDE Era (1886–1946)

Wilhelm Steinitz → Emanuel Lasker → José Raúl Capablanca → Alexander Alekhine → Max Euwe → Alexander Alekhine (regained title).

FIDE Era (1948–1993)

Mikhail Botvinnik → Vasily Smyslov → Mikhail Botvinnik → Mikhail Tal → Mikhail Botvinnik → Tigran Petrosian → Boris Spassky → Bobby Fischer → Anatoly Karpov → Garry Kasparov.

Split Title Era (1993–2006)

Classical World Champions: Garry Kasparov → Vladimir Kramnik.
FIDE World Champions: Anatoly Karpov → Alexander Khalifman → Viswanathan Anand → Ruslan Ponomariov → Rustam Kasimdzhanov → Veselin Topalov.

Reunified Era (2006–Present)

Vladimir Kramnik → Viswanathan Anand → Magnus Carlsen → Ding Liren → Gukesh Dommaraju (current champion).

World Chess Champions List (2000–2024)

Below is a concise overview of modern-era champions.

For the complete chess World Champions list from 1886 to the present, see the full record on Wikipedia.

From the classic Staunton pieces to modern championship models, browse our Premium Chess Pieces inspired by the sets used by past champions.

Prize Funds and Sponsorship Trends

Prize money for the chess World Championship games has steadily increased in recent years, often reaching or exceeding seven figures.

This growth reflects a broader interest from major corporate sponsors, particularly in the technology and finance sectors. The 2024 match, sponsored by Google, marked a milestone for chess visibility, as covered in The Straitstimes report. Such sponsorships not only increase the prestige of the event but also provide greater opportunities for players and organizers to invest in the sport.

Just as sponsors invest in top-level events, players invest in high-quality boards like those in our Chess Boards Collection to enhance their game experience.

Top Players and Nationalities

As of 2025, Magnus Carlsen continues to hold the highest rating in classical chess, despite stepping away from defending his World title in 2023. The reigning champion is Gukesh Dommaraju of India, who claimed the crown in 2024 at just 18 years old.

Historically, the chess World Championship has been dominated by players from a handful of countries, including Russia (and the former Soviet Union), the United States, India, Norway, and China. In recent years, India and China have emerged as particularly strong forces in elite chess, producing champions and top contenders across both open and women’s events.

Many elite players train with advanced tools such as Chess Computers to sharpen their opening repertoire and endgame skills.

How Players Qualify (2025–2026 Cycle)

The path to the World Championship chess match is rigorous, designed to ensure that only the most consistent and competitive players reach the final stage. The process revolves around qualifying for the Candidates Tournament, the event that determines the challenger.

Players can secure a place in the Candidates through:

• FIDE Circuit – Accumulating points across major international tournaments.
  

• FIDE Grand Swiss – The top finishers will receive two Candidates berths
  

• FIDE World Cup – Granting three Candidates spots through knockout competition.
  

• Rating Qualification – Awarding one spot to the player with the highest average rating who meets the activity requirements.
  
  

The winner gets to play the current champion in the upcoming FIDE World Championship match after the Candidates are finished.

How to Watch the World Chess Championship 2025

While there is no title match in 2025, fans can still follow the crucial qualifying events that lead to the next championship clash.

• Official Broadcasts – FIDE and its partners provide live streaming of the World Cup and Grand Swiss, along with player interviews, expert commentary, and analysis.
  
  

• Online Coverage – Major chess platforms such as Chess.com and ChessBase provide detailed reports, live PGN boards, and game archives.
  
  

• Social Media Updates – Follow the official accounts of FIDE, top players, and tournament organizers for real-time insights and behind-the-scenes content.
  
  

These broadcasts and updates ensure that even in an off year for the match itself, the road to the next chess World Championship games remains engaging for fans Worldwide.

Set up your own tournament environment with our Digital Chess Clocks for authentic time control during games.

Legendary Matches: Top 5 Most Memorable

Over the decades, the chess World Championship has produced games that have become timeless classics, remembered for their drama, brilliance, and historical significance. Here are five of the most celebrated matches in history:

1972 – Bobby Fischer vs Boris Spassky (Reykjavik)

Fischer’s victory brought global attention to chess during the Cold War, breaking Soviet dominance.

1985 – Garry Kasparov vs Anatoly Karpov (Moscow)

Kasparov’s win marked the rise of a new generation and ended Karpov’s long reign.


1985, Game 16 — After 40...Re1+, Kasparov’s pieces cut through White’s position. Karpov resigns shortly after.

2000 – Vladimir Kramnik vs Garry Kasparov (London)

Kramnik’s Berlin Defence neutralized Kasparov’s attacks and reshaped opening theory.

2016 – Sergey Karjakin vs. Magnus Carlsen (New York)

Carlsen clinched the match with a stunning queen sacrifice in the rapid tiebreak.

2024 – Gukesh Dommaraju vs Ding Liren (Singapore)

The youngest-ever undisputed champion emerged after a tense 14-game chess finals battle.

Relive these classics by playing them out on a Premium Chess Board for a true championship feel.

Chess World Championship FAQ

Who is World no. 1 in chess now?

Magnus Carlsen holds the highest classical rating in 2025, even though he no longer competes for the title.

Who is the current World Champion chess?

The chess World Championship 2024 was won by Gukesh Dommaraju over Ding Liren.

Who defeated Magnus Carlsen?

No one took the title from him directly — he chose not to defend it in 2023. Ding Liren became champion that year after defeating Ian Nepomniachtchi.

Why did Magnus Carlsen resign from the championship cycle?

Carlsen cited a lack of motivation to play another long classical match, preferring to focus on other events while remaining an active top player.

When is the World Chess Championship 2025?

There is no title match in 2025. Instead, the Grand Swiss and World Cup will determine qualifiers for the 2026 match.

Who was the first World chess champion?

Wilhelm Steinitz, who won the inaugural title match in 1886.

Final Thoughts

The Chess Championship remains the pinnacle of competitive chess, blending tradition, strategy, and global prestige. While 2025 does not feature a title match, it is a vital year in shaping the next championship battle. Another chapter in chess history will begin when the qualification events determine who will be eligible to compete for the title in 2026.

For players and fans alike, following the journey to the championship is as exciting as the match itself. From legendary games of the past to the intense competitions of today, the championship continues to inspire and define the very best in the game.