Total Chess World Championship 2026.
Budapest to launch a new era in chess with Total Chess World Championship Tour pilot
From 10–21 November 2026, the world’s elite men and women including World No.1 Magnus Carlsen will battle at Budapest’s iconic Anantara New York Palace Hotel across Blitz, Rapid and Fast Classic to determine chess’s most complete player.
Unlike traditional tournaments that focus on a single time control, the Total Chess World Championship Tour rewards versatility, consistency and adaptability. Players will be tested across the explosive pace of Blitz, the tactical intensity of Rapid and the strategic depth of Fast Classic, with cumulative performances determining the overall champion. The format is designed to showcase every dimension of elite chess while creating a more dynamic and engaging competition for players, spectators and broadcasters alike.
The Budapest event will serve as the official pilot of the Total Chess World Championship Tour, delivering the same championship format, regulations and prize structure that will define the inaugural global season beginning in March 2027, when multiple tournaments across international host cities will culminate in the crowning of the FIDE World Combined Champion.