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Grandmaster Kirill Shevchenko has been handed a three-year ban from FIDE-rated events and lost his Grandmaster title after confessing to hiding a phone during the Spanish Team Championship in October 2024. Tournament officials discovered the phone, prompting an investigation after concerns were raised about Shevchenko's absences.

Goa is set to host the FIDE World Cup in 2025, marking its return to India after 23 years, reminiscent of the 2002 World Junior Championship where Levon Aronian emerged victorious. The event not only boosted Goa's tourism, particularly attracting Russian visitors, but also showcased the region's hospitality and organisational capabilities.

Yosha Iglesias, a 37-year-old chess player, has made history by winning the French Women's Chess Championship, becoming the second transgender player to achieve this feat. Overcoming challenges and online harassment, Iglesias defeated Women's Grand Master Mitra Hejazipour in the final.

Goa is set to host the FIDE World Cup from October 30 to November 27, offering three Candidates Tournament spots and a $2 million prize pool. The event features chess giants like D Gukesh, Magnus Carlsen, and R Praggnanandhaa. India boasts a strong contingent of 21 players, including Viswanathan Anand, as the World Cup returns to India after 23 years.

Goa will host the FIDE World Cup 2025 from October 31 to November 27, featuring 206 players competing for a $2 million prize and 3 qualifying spots for 2026 Candidates Tournament. This eight-round knockout event marks a significant moment for Indian chess, following recent triumphs like D Gukesh's World Championship and team victories at the Chess Olympiad.

A grandmaster chess tournament in New Delhi emphasises silence and concentration, contrasting sharply with the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam in Las Vegas, where spectators reacted boisterously to moves. Players expressed frustration with the distractions caused by the live audience, questioning whether chess is truly ready for such an environment.