Overview

• FIDE announced Goa as the official host city, with India’s chess federation expressing commitment to deliver the event after earlier consideration of New Delhi as a venue.
• Matches will feature two classical games with a third day reserved for rapid and blitz tiebreaks, and the top 50 seeds will receive byes into Round 2.
• Official details and Indian Express reporting list a 206-player field, though some coverage cites 208 and carries slightly different date phrasing.
• At least 21 Indian players have qualified, including reigning world champion D Gukesh, Viswanathan Anand, Praggnanandhaa R, and Arjun Erigaisi.
• The Indian Express reports Magnus Carlsen is unlikely to participate.