Overview
- Norway Chess and FIDE unveiled the Total Chess World Championship Tour to identify a World Combined Champion across fast classical (45+30s, classically rated), rapid and blitz, with a minimum annual prize pool of $2.7 million.
- Organizers confirmed a one-off pilot for autumn 2026 before a full 2027 launch featuring four events per year, the first three with $750,000 purses and a four-player final awarding at least $450,000.
- Each stop is planned for 24 players using seeded groups followed by knockouts, with rotating entries between locations, a four-player season final, and at least two participants from each host country.
- Entry pathways will include rating slots and results in key events such as the World Rapid and Blitz, with final qualification mechanics—including the reported link to two Candidates berths—still being finalized.
- Magnus Carlsen publicly supported the concept, while reactions ranged from enthusiasm to skepticism, including criticism of Candidates implications, questions on women’s representation, confirmation that a separate women’s edition is not planned initially, and plans to keep Norway Chess running in 2026 with 2027 to be determined.