Top Indian Chess Stars Set for FIDE Grand Swiss in Uzbekistan

The FIDE Grand Swiss chess tournament is set to take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, featuring top Indian players Arjun Erigaisi and D Gukesh as the top seeds. With a significant increase in prize money and qualification spots for the 2026 Candidates tournament, this event promises to be a highlight in the chess calendar. Notable absences include Magnus Carlsen and Ding Liren, while young talents like Alireza Firouzja will also compete. Read on to learn more about the tournament structure and prize details.
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Top Indian Chess Stars Set for FIDE Grand Swiss in Uzbekistan

Exciting Chess Tournament Ahead

Indian chess prodigies Arjun Erigaisi and reigning world champion D Gukesh have been designated as the top two seeds for the upcoming fourth FIDE Grand Swiss chess tournament, scheduled to take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 3 to 16. This prestigious event boasts an increased prize pool and offers qualification spots for the esteemed Candidates tournament.


According to the tournament's regulations, the leading two players in both the open and women's categories will earn a place in the 2026 Candidates tournament, where the next challenger for the world championship title will be determined.


A new rule stipulating that players must have participated in over 30 classical-rated games between July 2024 and June 2025 has led to the exclusion of notable figures such as former world champions Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand.


Additionally, former world champion Ding Liren will not be competing, and Fabiano Caruana, who has participated in all previous Grand Swiss tournaments, will also be absent, having already secured his spot in the 2026 Candidates Tournament by winning the 2024 FIDE Circuit.


Erigaisi and Gukesh hold the top two seeds, while R Praggnanandhaa is seeded fourth, just behind Nodirbek Abdusattor. Another rising star, 22-year-old world number eight Alireza Firouzja, is ranked fifth.


The remaining top 10 players in the Open section include experienced Grandmasters such as two-time World Championship contender Ian Nepomniachtchi, Anish Giri, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Levon Aronian, and Vladimir Fedoseev.


The Grand Swiss is a key event in the chess calendar, serving as a pathway to the Candidates tournament. The 2023 edition was won by India's Vidit Gujrathi in the Open category and R Vaishali in the Women's section.


This 11-round Swiss format tournament will feature a total of 172 players, with 116 competing in the Open and 56 in the Women's tournament.


In addition to being a qualifier for the Candidates, the Grand Swiss offers a substantial prize fund, which has seen a significant increase from the previous edition. The prize fund for the Open event is set at USD 625,000, up from USD 460,000 in 2023, while the women's competition will feature a prize fund of USD 230,000, an increase from USD 140,000 last year.


Among the 116 players in the Open section, 101 have qualified based on their ratings, with the remaining spots filled by continental representatives, six FIDE wildcards, and five nominations from the local organizer.


The event will also showcase young talents such as Hans Niemann (22), Vincent Keymer (20), Javokhir Sindarov (19), Nihal Sarin (20), and Awonder Liang (22), all of whom are ranked among the top 20.


Notable participants in the Open section include former world championship candidate Boris Gelfand and former women's world championship challenger Aleksandra Goryachkina, both of whom have received wildcard invitations.


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