Coming up: World championship in Total Chess

Norway Chess and the world chess governing physique FIDE are becoming a member of fingers for a brand new tour and to determine yet one more new World champion. Chess already has World champions within the classical, speedy and blitz codecs and now there could be one in complete chess as nicely.

The CEO of Norway Chess, Kjell Madland, informed The Hindu that the pilot of the brand new match will probably be held subsequent yr and the primary World championship tour within the format in 2027. “The new tour could have video games performed in all of the three codecs – classical, speedy and blitz – and it’ll have 4 legs to be performed in 4 venues,” he mentioned over the telephone on Wednesday.

“The classical format will probably be of lesser time period than regular, although: it will likely be 45 minutes, with increment, and it will likely be rated as a classical sport. The time may even go as much as 60 minutes as a substitute of 45.”

Madland mentioned the world’s main gamers could be a part of the tour. “We have spoken to the gamers and they’re all on this format,” he mentioned. “The gamers will qualify for the tour by varied routes.”

There will probably be a minimal of $750,000 for every of the primary three occasions. The finals, which is able to resolve the champion, could have a prize-money of not less than $450,000 in a four-player area.

FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich mentioned the Total Chess World Championship Tour was one other welcome addition to the custom of the World championship. “We hope the match can captivate each the present chess followers and new audiences,” he mentioned. “These championships will complement one another. This isn’t a short-term initiative, however a long-term settlement between FIDE and Norway Chess.”

Madland mentioned India was a possible venue for one of many legs of the inaugural World Total Chess Tour. “We could be delighted to associate with organisers in India,” he mentioned.