Indian Stars Erigaisi, Gukesh Lead Charge at FIDE Grand Swiss 2025

Indian chess sensations Arjun Erigaisi and world champion D Gukesh are set to dominate as the top two seeds in the fourth FIDE Grand Swiss, scheduled from September 3 to 16 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. This prestigious 11-round Swiss format tournament offers a pathway to the 2026 Candidates Tournament, where the challenger for the world chess championship title will be decided.

The Grand Swiss, a cornerstone of the global chess calendar, will see the top two finishers in both the Open and Women’s sections secure coveted spots in the Candidates. With an enhanced prize fund—USD 625,000 for the Open (up from USD 460,000 in 2023) and USD 230,000 for the Women’s (up from USD 140,000)—the stakes are higher than ever.

In the Open section, Erigaisi and Gukesh lead a 116-player field, with R Praggnanandhaa seeded fourth, just behind Nodirbek Abdusattorov. World number eight Alireza Firouzja (22) rounds out the top five. The top 10 also features seasoned grandmasters like Ian Nepomniachtchi, Anish Giri, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Levon Aronian, and Vladimir Fedoseev. Young talents Hans Niemann (22), Vincent Keymer (20), Javokhir Sindarov (19), Nihal Sarin (20), and Awonder Liang (22) add firepower to the lineup. Wildcard entries include former world championship candidate Boris Gelfand and women’s challenger Aleksandra Goryachkina.

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The Women’s tournament, featuring 56 players, is led by former world champion Tan Zhongyi, followed by elite players Koneru Humpy, Anna Muzychuk, and Kateryna Lagno. Defending champion R Vaishali, who won the 2023 Women’s Grand Swiss, is also competing. The field includes 44 players qualified by rating, with additional spots filled by continental representatives, FIDE wildcards, and local organizer nominations.

The event’s qualification criteria, requiring 30+ classical rated games between July 2024 and June 2025, have excluded big names like former world champions Magnus Carlsen, Viswanathan Anand, and Ding Liren. Fabiano Caruana, a veteran of the previous three Grand Swiss tournaments, is also absent, having already secured a Candidates spot via the 2024 FIDE Circuit.

India’s chess legacy shines brightly in this tournament, following Vidit Gujrathi and R Vaishali’s triumphs in the 2023 Open and Women’s events, respectively. With Erigaisi, Gukesh, and Praggnanandhaa leading the charge, India aims to cement its status as a global chess powerhouse in Samarkand.

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