Why the World Cup Feels Like the Most Democratic Event in Chess

Why the World Cup Feels Like the Most Democratic Event in Chess

With a record number of under-20 participants, the 2025 FIDE World Cup in India might just be the most exciting and unpredictable chess event on the calendar.

Young talents including reigning World Champion Gukesh (19, IND), Praggnanandhaa (20, IND), Arjun Erigaisi (21, IND), Yagiz Erdogmus (14, TUR), Li Yheng (13, CHN), Kavin Mohan (13, IND), Ilan Schneider (14, ISR), and Faustino Oro (12, ARG) are all competing in the same draw as the world's elite, players like Carlsen, Nakamura, and Caruana.

In earlier editions, such as 2017 or 2019, only a handful of juniors qualified. But this year, the numbers have surged dramatically, marking a new chapter in chess history.

The Format Creates Chaos

The knockout format adds to the thrill. Pairings are random, forcing top-rated stars to face ambitious newcomers as early as round one. The result? A record number of "youth vs legend" battles, matchups traditional round-robin events rarely allow.

Take the 2023 World Cup: 17-year-old Gukesh knocked out World #2 Ding Liren. Or 2021: 16-year-old Abdusattorov won the entire event, defeating Carlsen and Nepomniachtchi along the way.

What Makes It "Democratic"

Fans say that's exactly what makes the World Cup special. Unlike closed elite tournaments where players protect their ratings and face familiar rivals, the World Cup throws everyone into the same arena.

Every game counts. Every mistake is fatal. A 2800-rated legend has no safety net against a 2500-rated teenager with nothing to lose.

And while young players have appeared in past editions, never before have so many juniors simultaneously threatened, and defeated, 2700+ grandmasters.

The India Factor

Hosting the event in India, home to Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, Arjun, and a dozen other rising stars, adds another layer of drama. The crowd support could prove decisive in tight matches.

This democratization of elite chess means one thing: expect the unexpected.

More to explore:

1. World Cup 2025 Delivers Wild Round 2
2. FIDE World Cup 2025 - Round 1 Tiebreak Drama
3. Diptayan Ghosh Eliminates Nepomniachtchi, Leaving No Russians in the Candidates