Budapest to host Total Chess pilot in November

FIDE has announced that Budapest will host the official pilot of the Total Chess World Championship Tour from November 10–21, 2026. The event will be staged at the Anantara New York Palace Hotel.

Players will compete across Fast Classic, Rapid and Blitz, with cumulative results across all three disciplines determining the overall winner.

World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen is among the elite men and women expected to compete. FIDE says the Budapest pilot will use the championship format, regulations and prize structure planned for the inaugural global season beginning in March 2027.

The tour was developed by Norway Chess and approved by FIDE. The full 2027 season is planned as a multi-city competition culminating in the crowning of a FIDE World Combined Champion.

Image: FIDE.