BRING YOUR VISION INTO ACTION
Norway Chess launches the FIDE-approved Total Chess World Championship Tour starting 2027, featuring a $2.7M annual prize pool. It crowns the FIDE World Combined Champion across Fast Classic, Rapid, and Blitz seeking the “Total Chess Player.” Get the details on this major chess innovation!
The Game-Changer: A New Era for Professional Chess Has Arrived
The chess world just got a massive upgrade! In a landmark decision, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) has officially approved a brand-new, annual World Championship format: the Total Chess World Championship Tour, organized by the innovative team behind Norway Chess.
This is not just another tournament; it’s a revolutionary concept designed to find “The Total Chess Player”—the most versatile, tactically intelligent, and technically skilled athlete who can conquer all three major time controls.
The Quest for the FIDE World Combined Champion
The Total Chess World Championship Tour will settle the debate: who is the true master of speed and strategy combined?
The winner will be crowned the official FIDE World Combined Champion, a prestigious new title determined across three crucial disciplines:
- Fast Classic: An innovation featuring a 45-minute base time with a 30-second increment. Critically, these games will receive a Classical Chess rating, signaling a significant shift in the definition of high-level chess.
- Rapid
- Blitz
As CEO Kjell Madland states, “We expect this to become one of the most prestigious events in the entire chess Calendar.”
Unprecedented Scale: $2.7 Million Prize Pool & Global Events
The scope of this new championship is staggering, solidifying its place among the elite international chess competitions:
| Tour Component | Format | Minimum Annual Prize Pool |
| Full Tour (4 Events) | Fast Classic, Rapid, Blitz | Minimum $2.7 Million |
| First Three Events | Global Cities | $750,000 per event |
| The Finals | Four-Player Field | $450,000 minimum |
With four tournaments held annually in various global cities, plus additional performance bonuses, the Tour promises consistent, high-stakes action starting with its full championship season in 2027, following a pilot event in Fall 2026.
FIDE’s Vision: Complementing the Classical Throne
This groundbreaking initiative has the full support of FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, who sees the Tour as essential to the sport’s evolution.
“We see this as a great addition to the traditional and prestigious World Chess Championship, where we crown the undisputed champion of classic chess. The championships will complement each other and offer even more excitement for the fans.”
This long-term agreement between FIDE and Norway Chess—an organization known for introducing innovations like the Armageddon tiebreak and championing equal prize money—guarantees a future focused on cutting-edge technology, engaging broadcasts, and faster formats designed to captivate a broader audience than ever before.