NewzVille Sports Desk
The FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 will take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 3–16, 2025. For the first time the prestigious event will be held in Uzbekistan, a country with a rich chess heritage and a rapidly growing influence in the global chess community. Men’s and Women’s catagory will separately.
As one of the most significant events in the chess calendar, the FIDE Grand Swiss offers players a direct pathway to the Candidates Tournament. The top two finishers in the Grand Swiss will secure 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. The Open prize fund has been boosted from $460,000 to $625,000—a 36% increase—while the Women’s prize fund sees an even larger jump, from $140,000 to $230,000, up 64%.
Both tournaments will follow an 11-round Swiss format, with 170 players participating from across the globe: 114 in the Grand Swiss and 56 in the Women’s Grand Swiss.
100 players have qualified for the 2025 Grand Swiss by rating, while the Women’s Grand Swiss has 44 qualifiers. Only players who played at least 30 rated games are eligible. The final lists of participants will be confirmed after Continent spots, players nominated by the FIDE President and players nominated by the Organiser are announced.
