World Cup (Chess)

The FIDE World Cup is a major chess event organized by FIDE, the international governing body. Three different formats have been used: In 2000 and 2002, it was a multi-stage tournament, with a group stage consisting of 24 players in four groups, followed by a knockout stage. From 2005 to 2019, it was a biennial 128-player single-elimination tournament, forming part of the qualification for the World Chess Championship. From the 2021 edition to present, the number of players has increased to 206. A system of byes is used in the first round; from the second round onwards the format is identical to the previous system.