Overview
- FIDE formally approved the overhaul in mid-July, replacing the pure knockout World Cup with a two-stage model that begins with Swiss qualifying pools and ends with a 16-player knockout.
- The Swiss stage will use a fast classical time control of 45 minutes plus a 30-second increment, the knockout rounds will keep classical controls, and both Open and Women’s events will be compressed to 19 days.
- Fields and prize money are being expanded: the Open rises from 206 to 224 players, the Women’s event to 128 players, and the combined prize fund increases from about USD 2.67 million to USD 3.3 million.
- FIDE removed the Candidates rating spot and cut World Cup qualifiers from three to two, while adding two new season-long routes—the Total Chess World Championship Tour and a two-year FIDE Circuit tally—for 2028 Candidates places.
- The changes are meant to boost inclusivity and commercial appeal, but players and commentators are split over the greater role for faster time controls and the political timing ahead of FIDE’s September elections; the 2027 host cities and some operational details are still to be announced.