FIDE is excited to announce that the 2025 edition of the FIDE Grand Swiss and Women’s Grand Swiss will take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 3 to 15, 2025.

This will be the first time the prestigious event is hosted in Uzbekistan, a country with a rich chess heritage and rapidly growing influence in the global chess community. From their gold-medal performance at the 2022 Chess Olympiad to a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympiad, as well as hosting world-class events such as the 2022 Women’s Candidates Tournament in Khiva, the 2023 Rapid and Blitz World Championships, and the upcoming 2026 Chess Olympiad in Tashkent, Uzbekistan has firmly established itself as a chess powerhouse and a major hub for the game.

The FIDE Grand Swiss is one of the most significant events in the chess calendar, providing players with a direct pathway to the Candidates Tournament. The top two finishers in the Grand Swiss will earn spots in the 2026 Candidates Tournament, while the top two players in the Women’s Grand Swiss will qualify for the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament.

In addition to its importance as a qualifier, the event will feature an increased prize fund—boosted by at least 30%.

The Grand Swiss has quickly become a highly anticipated event since its inception. The first tournament, held in 2019 on the Isle of Man, saw Wang Hao emerge victorious with an impressive 8/11 score. The 2021 edition, moved to Riga due to COVID-19 restrictions, was won by Alireza Firouzja. The 2023 edition returned to the Isle of Man and was claimed by Vidit Gujrathi. This year will also mark the third edition of the Women’s Grand Swiss. The first tournament in Riga was won by Lei Tingjie, while Vaishali Rameshbabu triumphed in 2023.

FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich expressed his excitement about the event: “Uzbekistan’s commitment to chess development is exemplary, and Samarkand provides the perfect setting for this prestigious event. The FIDE Grand Swiss and Women’s Grand Swiss have become flagship events in the FIDE Calendar, and we are proud to partner with Uzbekistan once again to deliver another world-class tournament.”

Further details, including regulations, will be released by the end of February. In the meantime, be sure to mark your calendars for September 2025, as this promises to be an unforgettable chess showdown.