“We want to create an entertaining tournament using cutting-edge technology, innovative and engaging TV and streaming broadcasts, and faster formats to open up the sport of chess to a broader audience than ever before. We expect this to become one of the most prestigious events in the entire chess Calendar. We are very honored by the strong trust FIDE has shown in the project. From the very beginning, the federation has been an active and engaged partner — ensuring the project aligns with FIDE’s vision and standards. We want to thank them, and especially the FIDE President, for their close involvement and support,” says Kjell Madland.
Prize Pool and Bonuses
The Total Chess World Championship Tour features a robust prize pool: a minimum of $750,000 for each of the first three events. The Finals, which crown the FIDE World Combined Champion, will award at least $450,000 to a four-player field. Additional performance bonuses will be available for the highest point total at each tournament and for the top overall score across the Tour.
“For the fans”
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich expresses strong support for the initiative.
“We are always looking for ways to innovate and push the boundaries of what chess can be. Although chess is already one of the most popular games in the world, its growth potential is still enormous. With the Total Chess World Championship Tour, we give players a new title to compete for, and the audience a faster tournament format, and we hope the tournament can captivate both the existing chess fans and new audiences,” says FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich.
“We see this as a great addition to the traditional and prestigious World Chess Championship, where we crown the undisputed champion of classic chess. The championships will complement each other and offer even more excitement for the fans. This is not a short-term initiative, but a long-term agreement between FIDE and Norway Chess,” he added.
Norway Chess is now inviting potential host cities, investors, and partners to engage in discussions about joining the Total Chess World Championship.
For more details on the tournament format, see the separate document (pdf).
Facts about Norway Chess:
- Founded in 2013, Norway Chess has quickly become a fixture on the elite chess calendar.
- It’s regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious and innovative international chess tournaments.
- The event helped professionalize chess, treating it as a modern sport and viable commercial product.
- Norway Chess introduced the world’s first women’s tournament with prize money equal to the open sections.
Facts about FIDE:
- The International Chess Federation (FIDE) is the governing body of the sport of chess, and it regulates all international chess competitions.
- It was recognized by the International Olympic Committee as a Global Sporting Organization in 1999.
- Initially founded in 1924 in Paris under the motto “Gens una Sumus” (Latin for “We are one Family”), it was one of the very first International Sports Federations, alongside the governing bodies of the sports of Football, Cricket, Swimming, and Auto Racing.
- It is now one of the largest, encompassing 201 countries as affiliate members, in the form of National Chess Federations.
