The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has received three bids to host the World Championship: New Delhi (India), Chennai (India) and Singapore. After reviewing and inspecting all potential host cities for their dedicated venue, facilities, program and timeliness, FIDE has selected Singapore to host the 2024 World Championship.
“We are delighted that, for the first time in FIDE’s history, a World Championship match will be held in Singapore. Singapore is not only one of the world’s most iconic tourist and commercial centers, it is also a thriving chess center, full of ambition and talent,” said Arkady Dvorkovich, FIDE President.
“I would also like to thank the other bidders, New Delhi and Chennai. Both cities are renowned chess centers with a rich history of chess events, and we are confident that major chess events will take place there in the future,” continued Mr. Dvorkovich.
“FIDE is sincerely pleased to organize the World Championship in Singapore. Chess is not only a popular game and sport; it is often seen as the embodiment of the human mind’s ability to think strategically, plan and predict. Singapore embodies these very qualities. It’s an ideal location for a match of this importance!” concluded the President.
Emil Sutovsky, FIDE’s Director General, added: “We also expect multinational companies to seize the opportunity and join forces with FIDE and Singapore to make this event truly exceptional.”
Singapore’s bid was submitted on May 31, 2024, and site inspection took place on June 11 and 12. Four possible venues are being considered for the Match, and the final decision on the exact location will be announced in due course.
The Match, which carries a sensational prize of $2.5 million, is scheduled to take place between November 20 and December 15, 2024.
About the FIDE World Championship
The FIDE World Championship match is one of the world’s largest and most closely watched chess events. Held every two years, it pits the reigning world champion against the challenger, chosen after a qualifying process culminating in the Candidates Tournament, which brings together eight of the world’s best players.
The defending champion is Ding Liren, who won the title by beating Ian Nepomniachtchi in Astana, Kazakhstan, in April 2023 in tie-breaks. The challenger is 18-year-old Indian Gukesh D, who won the Candidates Tournament in Toronto in April 2024.
The World Championship match will be played over 14 games. The player who scores 7½ points or more wins the match and no further games are played. If the score is equal after 14 games, the winner will be decided by a tie-break in rapid games.
