Mumbai, Oct 15 – Norway Chess has just announced a brand‑new global title that will sweep the 2024‑2027 chess calendar. The “Total Chess World Championship Tour” will bring together the fastest, most intense games – Fast Classic, Rapid and Blitz – into a single, high‑stakes championship that FIDE has officially approved.
The tour will host four tournaments every year, each in a different city, and will award a combined champion across all three time controls. The winner earns the title of FIDE World Combined Champion, a first in the history of the sport.
What’s on the line?
- A total of $2.7 million in prize money for the year, spread as $750 k for the first three events and $450 k for the final showdown.
- Extra bonuses for top performances.
- A pilot event slated for the fall of 2026, with the full schedule launching in 2027.
“The Total Chess Tour will become one of the most prestigious events on the chess calendar,” said Kjell Madland, CEO of Norway Chess. “We’re looking for a player who can master Fast Classic, Rapid and Blitz – a true ‘total’ chess athlete.”
Fast Classic is a new twist on classical play, giving each player just 45 minutes plus a 30‑second increment per move. The idea, combined with Rapid (typically 15‑minute games) and Blitz (5‑minute games), is to test skill, speed, and strategy all at once.
Madland added that the format will use cutting‑edge tech, engaging TV and streaming broadcasts, and will be designed to attract both seasoned fans and new audiences. “Chess is a worldwide phenomenon with huge growth potential,” he said.
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich welcomed the initiative, calling it a long‑term partnership that will complement the traditional World Chess Championship. “We’re always looking to innovate, and the Total Chess World Championship Tour offers a fresh, faster format that will excite existing fans and attract new ones,” he said.
With its hefty prize pool, global reach, and support from FIDE, the Total Chess World Championship Tour promises to redefine what it means to win in the world of chess.
Source: ianslive
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