Photo: Richard Hoare

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) is pleased to announce that the Isle of Man will host the 2023 edition of the FIDE Grand Swiss and the FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss. The events will be held concurrently in the magnificent Royal Hall of the Villa Marina in Douglas from October 23 to November 5, 2023.

The Grand Swiss is returning to the island after having to be moved from Douglas to Riga on its 2021 edition due to the strict travel restrictions affecting the Isle of Man during that period.

With a total of 157 players from approximately 35 countries (114 in the open tournament and 50 in the women’s tournament), the combined prize fund has been raised to USD 600,000, thanks to the generosity of the Scheinberg family, patrons of the event. 

The 109 invitations to take part in the FIDE Grand Swiss (open) will be extended according to the following criteria: 

A. One hundred players qualify by rating, TPR, or other criteria devised by GSC and approved by the FIDE Council. The system shall be determined and announced by December 31 2022. 

 B. One player from the ACP Tour 2022 standings as of December 31 2022. 

 C. Women’s World Champion as of December 31 2022. 

 D. Four Continent spots. Each spot shall be decided by the respective Continental President by August 31 2023. 

 E. Three players nominated by the FIDE President.

Photo: Fiona Steil-Antoni

The Organizer is entitled to include five additional players of their own choice, with the total number of players being limited to a maximum of 114. The World Champion and Vice World Champion are entitled to play in the Grand Swiss if they meet the criteria of one of the above paths and shall receive the same financial terms as the other qualifiers.

The 50 invitations to take part in the FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss will be extended according to the following criteria: 

A. Forty players qualify by rating, TPR, or other criteria devised by GSC and approved by the FIDE Council. The system shall be determined and announced by December 31 2022. 

B. One player from the ACP Women’s Series 2022 standings as of December 31 2022. 

C. Four Continent spots. Each spot shall be decided by the respective Continental President by August 31 2023. 

D. Three players nominated by the FIDE President.

The Organizer is entitled to include two additional players of their own choice, reaching a total maximum of 50 players. The World Women’s Champion and Vice World Champion are entitled to play in the Women’s Grand Swiss if they meet the criteria of one of the above paths and shall receive the same financial terms as the other qualifiers.

As in the previous edition, the winner and the runner up of both competitions will qualify for the Candidates Tournament and Women’s Candidates Tournament, respectively.