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FIDE WCC

FIDE WCC is a Chess offline circuit run by FIDE. We track 1 of its events from 2026, and FIDE World Chess Championship 2026 is next, starting Nov 24.

Next matches

No FIDE WCC matches are scheduled right now.

Events

EventDatesLocationPrizeWinner
FIDE World Chess Championship 2026Nov 24 to Dec 12, 2026Geneva$2,500,000 USD

Format and rules

Organizer
FIDE
Type
Offline
Location
Geneva
Players
2
Prize pool
$2,500,000 USD

How FIDE World Chess Championship 2026 is played:

  • The World Championship Match consists of fourteen games.
  • Time control and default time:
  • The games are played using electronic clocks and boards approved by FIDE.
  • The time control for each game is 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move 41.
  • A player who arrives in the playing area after the actual start time of the game shall lose this game by default.
  • Draw by mutual agreement:
  • The players cannot draw a game by agreement before black’s 40th move. A claim for a draw before the completion of black’s 40th move is permitted only through the Chief Arbiter or his/her Deputy in case of threefold repetition or a stalemate.
  • Conditions of victory:
  • The player who scores 7.5 points or more wins the World Championship Match. No further games shall be played. If the score after fourteen games is equal, the tie-break shall be played.
  • Tie-break:
  • A four-game playoff shall be played with a time control of 15 minutes + 10 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1. There shall be a drawing of lots to decide which player starts with white.
  • If the score is still level after the four-game playoff, after a new drawing of lots, a two-game playoff shall be played with a time control of 10 minutes + 5 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1.
  • If the score is still level after the rapid playoff, after a new drawing of lots, a two-game playoff shall be played with a time control of 3 minutes + 2 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1.
  • If the score is still level after the blitz playoff, after a new drawing of lots, a single game shall be played with a time control of 3 minutes for each player + 2 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1. If still tied, colors shall be reversed and play continues until a decisive result is reached.
  • There shall be a pause of 10 minutes between all tie-break games, unless the Chief Arbiter decides otherwise.

From the event page on Liquipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0).

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Common questions about FIDE WCC

When is the next FIDE WCC event?

FIDE World Chess Championship 2026 runs Nov 24 to Dec 12, 2026.

Where is FIDE World Chess Championship 2026 played?

Geneva, at Fondation Martin Bodmer.

How much prize money is in FIDE World Chess Championship 2026?

$2,500,000 USD.

What is the FIDE WCC format?

The World Championship Match consists of fourteen games. Time control and default time:. The games are played using electronic clocks and boards approved by FIDE. The time control for each game is 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move 41.

Source Liquipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0. Last updated .

Know when your team plays

Pick your teams and we send one short email a week ahead and the day before they play. At most one email a day, and you can pause or stop anytime.

Alert me when my team plays