Wesley So to defend his FIDE World Fischer Random title

Magnus Carlsen and Iceland #1 Hjorvar Steinn Gretarsson are other confirmed participants

FIDE World Fischer Random Chess Championship is back with its second edition. The over-the-board final will take place in Reykjavik, Iceland, from 25th-30th October 2022.

In 2019, FIDE officially recognized the World Fischer Random Chess Championship. In the final of the inaugural edition, held in Norway, American Grandmaster Wesley So defeated classical chess champion Magnus Carlsen. The two-year pandemic hiatus put the organization of many major chess events on halt, and we're excited to announce the second edition of the Championship is taking place this year.

"I am so excited to be competing in Fischer Random again! And in Iceland! It couldn't be more special than to compete in that particular place, defending my title against the best players in the world. To play in Reykjavik, fifty years after the match between Fischer and Spassky, gives it a historical perspective that cannot be matched," commented Wesley So.

The overall prize fund of the final in the Icelandic capital amounts to a whopping 400,000 USD. Eight players will have a shot at the 150,000 USD first prize and the FIDE Fischer Random World Champion title. Three of the four invitees are already confirmed. They are the defending champion American grandmaster Wesley So, the world's top-ranked grandmaster Norwegian Magnus Carlsen, and the strongest Icelandic grandmaster Hjorvar Steinn Gretarsson. The fourth player will receive the wild card from the FIDE President.

The four directly seeded players will be joined by the four winners of the online qualifiers on Chess.com and Lichess.org, two from each site. The qualifiers start as soon as August 19 on Lichess.org and August 22 on Chess.com.

Qualifiers on lichess

The qualifiers will follow the multi-stage format outlined in the graphic below:

Stage 1 (19 August - 4 September) involves two phases. First, multiple open-entry 3+2 arenas will be held over the next two weeks. These are where anyone – titled or untitled, rated or unrated, professional or amateur – can start their journey to Reykjavik. The top 50 finishers in each arena will qualify for the second phase: a single 3+2 arena per qualifier, from which 500 players will advance to the next stage, per qualifier.

Stage 2 (10-11 September) will also comprise two phases. First, the players will be divided into groups to play an 11-round, 5+2, Swiss tournament. The top 18 finishers in each group will join each other and 10 wildcard players - watch out for some big names! - to play a 9-round, 10+2, Swiss, from which the top 15 will advance to the final stage.

In the final stage (17-25 September), the players will duel each other in knockout matches to determine who will be invited to play in the over-the-board finals in Reykjavik (and a share of the $400,000 prize fund). Those who progress to this stage will also receive a share of a $2,500 prize fund, per qualifier.

Arena Calendar

The full event calendar is on FIDE's official team page on Lichess.

Some of the next few days' events are listed below:

19th August 1600 - 1800 UTC (9:30 - 11:30 p.m. IST)

19th August 1900 - 2100 UTC (20th August 12:30 - 2:30 a.m. IST)

20th August 0100 - 0300 UTC (6:30 - 8:30 a.m. IST)

20th August 0500 - 0700 UTC (10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. IST)

20th August 1600 - 1800 UTC (9:30 - 11:30 p.m. IST)

20th August 1900 - 2100 UTC (21st August 12:30 - 2:30 a.m. IST)

21st August 0100 - 0300 UTC (6:30 - 8:30 a.m. IST)

21st August 0500 - 0700 UTC (10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. IST)

21st August 1600 - 1800 UTC (9:30 - 11:30 p.m. IST)

21st August 1900 - 2100 UTC (22nd August 12:30 - 2:30 a.m. IST)

22nd August 0100 - 0300 UTC (6:30 - 8:30 a.m. IST)

22nd August 0500 - 0700 UTC (10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. IST)

22nd August 1600 - 1800 UTC (9:30 - 11:30 p.m. IST)

22nd August 1900 - 2100 UTC (23rd August 12:30 - 2:30 a.m. IST)

Qualifiers on chess.com

Only FIDE titled players can play the qualifiers on chess.com

The finals will consist of a two-group stage followed by the knockout semifinals and final. The time control will be 25 minutes per player for the first 30 moves, after which each player will receive additional 5 minutes on the clock and an increment of 5 seconds per move.

The Championship in Reykjavik will be broadcast live by NRK, the largest media organization in Norway and FIDE's long-term partner, and RUV, Iceland's major national broadcast company.

As in 2019, the final will be organized by Dund AS, a Norwegian shareholding company. Lichess qualifiers are organized with the support of Offerspill Sjakklubb, Charlotte Chess Center, and the North American Corporate Chess League.

"The second edition of the FIDE World Fischer Random Chess Championship in Reykjavik is timed to the 50th anniversary of Fischer and Spassky's 'Match of the Century'. It remains one of the most famous chess competitions in history. We're thankful to the Icelandic Chess Federation, Dund AS and all our partners for making this tribute happen. Fischer Random Chess is an extremely popular chess variant, equally enjoyed by the top professionals and chess fans. We underlined its importance by officially recognizing it in 2019 and are determined to continue on the path of supporting it," emphasized FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich.

"We're excited to continue fruitful cooperation with FIDE and hold the second edition of the FIDE World Fischer Random Chess Championship. We're sure it will be packed with thrilling chess action and keep fans on the edge of their seats from the first to the last move of each game, which is the nature of Fischer Random chess," said organizer, FIDE Vice President Joran Aulin-Jansson.

What is Fischer Random Chess?

Fischer Random is a chess variant invented by legendary Bobby Fischer, 1972-75 World Chess Champion. The game's rules are the same as standard chess, but the starting position of pieces is randomly shuffled. It reduces the impact of opening theory and makes players contemplate game development from the first moves.

About Dund AS:

Dund AS, a Norwegian shareholding company, organized the first official 2019 World Fischer Random Chess Championship. Previously, Dund AS organized the 2018 unofficial Fischer Random world title match between classical chess champion Magnus Carlsen and recognized Fischer Random ace, Hikaru Nakamura.

About FIDE:

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) is the governing body of international chess competition. Founded in 1924, it was one of the first institutions of its kind, and it is now one of the largest, with a total of 199 affiliated national chess federations.

About lichess Qualifier co-organisers

These qualifiers wouldn’t be possible without the support and expertise provided by the lichess qualifier co-organisers, all of whom share with lichess a philosophy of making chess accessible, inclusive, and available to all.

Charlotte Chess Center / charlottechesscenter.org

Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, with roots dating back to 2007, Charlotte Chess Center aims to provide chess enthusiasts a place to play the game (casually and in tournaments), develop chess friendships, and develop the chess community - both locally and globally. In recent years, CCC has gone from strength to strength. With years of experience, the CCC has expanded to a staff of more than 20 chess professionals, and now runs massive school enrichment programmes, academy classes, and also the largest OTB tournaments in the Southeast U.S.. With a wealth of experience organising online and OTB championship tournaments, the Center is committed to the success of the Lichess CCC & NACCL FIDE World Fischer Random Qualifiers.

Contact: events@charlottechesscenter.org

North American Corporate Chess League / nacorporatechess.com

Founded in 2020, the North American Corporate Chess League is an online recreational chess league for companies headquartered in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. It is the largest corporate chess league in the world, with over 40 teams and 450 players competing each season. An inclusive and engaging online chess league, the NACCL features friendly competition and team building amongst professionals from dozens of industries across the continent.

Contact: info@nacorporatechess.com

Offerspill Sjakklubb / offerspill.com

A non-profit, Offerspill Sjakklubb (Offerspill translates as “sacrificial play”) was founded in 2019 by World Champion Magnus Carlsen, who still chairs the club. Norway’s largest chess club by membership, Offerspill aims to make chess a low threshold activity, accessible to all -  especially internet players - while also encouraging the development of talented players and allowing them to pursue their chess dreams. Offerspill offers various training camps, educational materials, tournaments and other content to both its members and the broader chess community, often featuring some of the world’s best players. Offerspill also offers its members the chance to play in an online league to win prizes and virtual awards.

Contact: offerspill@gmail.com

Links

Source: FIDE, lichess and chess.com

Qualifier Regulations: lichess, chess.com

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