The Biggest Chess Tournaments of 2025: What to Watch and When

Whether you're a seasoned chess follower or new to the game, 2025 is packed with world-class tournaments that showcase the depth, drama, and brilliance of traditional over-the-board chess. Here's a breakdown of the biggest classical chess events of the year, including when and where they're taking place—and why they matter.

Tata Steel Chess Tournament

📍 Wijk aan Zee, Netherlands
📆 January 10–26, 2025
Known as the “Wimbledon of Chess,” Tata Steel kicks off the year with a stacked field of super-grandmasters and rising stars. It's a fan favorite for its long time controls and fierce head-to-head rivalries.

FIDE Candidates Tournament

📍 Madrid, Spain
📆 April 2–25, 2025
This is where legends are made. The Candidates determines who will challenge the reigning World Champion in 2026. Expect high tension and deeply prepared games as players battle through 14 intense rounds.

FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament

📍 To be confirmed
📆 Spring 2025
Parallel to the Open Candidates, the Women's Candidates crowns the next challenger to take on Ju Wenjun, who defended her title earlier this year.

Grand Chess Tour 2025

📍 Multiple cities worldwide
📆 May – December 2025
A global circuit featuring events in Bucharest, Warsaw, Zagreb, and Saint Louis, the Grand Chess Tour blends classical and rapid formats, with consistent appearances from top stars like Carlsen, Caruana, and Gukesh.

Norway Chess

📍 Stavanger, Norway
📆 May 27 – June 7, 2025
This elite invitational is famous for its armageddon tiebreaks and dramatic matchups. Magnus Carlsen won it for the 7th time this year, keeping fans glued to every round.

Sinquefield Cup

📍 Saint Louis, USA
📆 September 2025
Part of the Grand Chess Tour, the Sinquefield Cup is one of the year’s final classical showdowns. Its prestige and prize pool make it a magnet for the world’s top 10.

Chess Olympiad 2025

📍 Budapest, Hungary
📆 September 10–24, 2025
Held every two years, the Olympiad is chess’s answer to the World Cup. National teams from over 150 countries compete in a celebration of global strategy, pride, and sportsmanship.

FIDE World Cup (not scheduled in 2025)

🛑 Note: The next World Cup is scheduled for 2027, as it runs every two years on odd-numbered cycles opposite the Olympiad.

From high-stakes world title implications to rich team rivalries, 2025 is a landmark year for classical chess—and every month offers something for fans to follow.