Abhinav Bindra Kicks Off FIDE World Cup 2025 with First Move

Abhinav Bindra's Special Role at FIDE World Cup

Panaji (Goa) [India], November 24: Abhinav Bindra, the first Indian to win an individual Olympic gold medal, made a notable appearance at the FIDE World Cup 2025. He had the honor of making the ceremonial first move in the opening match of the finals, featuring Chinese Grandmaster Wei Yi against Uzbekistan's GM Javokhir Sindarov, as reported by FIDE.

At 43, Bindra, who clinched the gold in the 10m Air Rifle event at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, has inspired countless Indian athletes to pursue their dreams of international success. He attended the event in Goa to enjoy high-level chess and even engaged in a few games himself with a FIDE official.

Although Bindra stepped away from competitive shooting after the 2016 Rio Olympics, he remains committed to promoting sports through the Abhinav Bindra Foundation. This organization aims to discover and develop future sports talents in India, emphasizing the adoption of global best practices in sports science.

During a media interaction at the FIDE World Cup, the former champion expressed his delight at the opportunity for chess enthusiasts to witness top-tier players, thanks to the All India Chess Federation (AICF) and FIDE's decision to host the tournament in India after a 23-year hiatus.

Bindra also hinted at potential support for chess development in the future, stating, “Chess is not just a sedentary game. It demands physical preparation. Players need self-discipline, both mentally and physically. If there are chess brands interested in enhancing this aspect, I would be glad to assist,” as per the release.