Teams from blue-chip companies including Microsoft, Google, JP Morgan, and Deloitte are among the qualifiers for the over-the-board finals, which will take place alongside the World Cup in Goa, India.
Following the online qualifications and knockout stages in early to mid-October, FIDE is pleased to announce the qualifiers for the finals of the 2025 FIDE World Corporate Chess Championship.
The competition for the title of “The Smartest Company in the World” will see eight teams compete in an over-the-board tournament to be held from November 14 to 16 in Goa, alongside the World Cup.
The qualifying stage saw over 30 teams from across the globe compete, with the online stage culminating in a fierce knockout bracket to determine the eight finalists.
The inaugural edition of the event, held in New York in June 2024, saw corporate giants such as Google, Deutsche Bank, Goldman Sachs, BlackRock, and UBS in the finals, with Chessify taking the title following a thrilling final against ChessMood.
A key feature of this year’s competition is its exclusive focus on fully non-professional corporate players. This strategic decision ensures a true test of business talent and provides a peer-to-peer competition, excluding teams from chess companies or those composed of chess professionals.
“We are thrilled that famous world companies have fielded teams in the World Corporate Championship, showing that chess is very much present in the world of business. The World Corporate Championship is not just a competition for the title of The World’s Smartest Company; it is also a mini business forum, allowing professionals from different business backgrounds to connect through the common love for chess,” said Joran Aulin-Jansson, Vice-President of the FIDE Council.
“We are excited that the finals are taking place alongside the World Cup in India. We think this is a great opportunity for forging new connections between chess and the business world. Given that India is a booming global economy as well as a chess powerhouse, this seems like an excellent opportunity for all,” he added.
For more information about the event, please visit the official website at worldcorporate.fide.com.