The FIDE World Women’s Team Championship 2025 is set to take place in the legendary chess city of Linares, Spain, from November 17 to 24. Known as one of the most iconic venues in chess history, Linares will once again be in the global spotlight as it welcomes 12 of the world’s strongest women’s national teams to compete for the prestigious world title.
“I am very excited that the Championship goes to Linares. The city is famous for its rich chess tradition – however it is not only about the past, but also the present and the future. I’d like to thank the local chess community and the Spanish Chess Federation for the cooperation, and we look forward to an exciting event,” said Emil Sutovsky, FIDE CEO
First held in 2007, the FIDE World Women’s Team Championship has become one of the most important events on the women’s chess calendar. Previous winners include China, Russia, Ukraine, and Georgia (reigning champion), with China claiming a record four titles. The event not only crowns the best national women’s team in the world, but also showcases rising stars and team spirit.
The 12 teams competing in Linares are:
* Semi-finalists of the 2023 edition:
- Georgia
- France
- Kazakhstan
- USA
* Top-rated teams from each continent:
- China (Asia)
- Ukraine (Europe)
- Peru (Americas)
- Egypt (Africa)
* Top federations by average rating (August 2025):
- India
- FIDE Team
* Host nation: Spain
* FIDE President’s nomination: To be announced
The championship features 12 teams, split into two pools of six for a round-robin stage. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the knockout stage, consisting of semi-finals and a final.
Each match between two teams consists of four boards, and matches are played under the standard time control: 45 minutes + 30 seconds per move from move one.
Full regulations for World Women’s Team Championship 2025 (PDF)