NORWAY CHESS has announced a new World Championship format officially approved by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the Total Chess World Championship Tour. The tour will comprise four annual events, combining three formats: Fast Classic, Rapid, and Blitz; to determine the FIDE World Combined Champion.
The initiative, developed by the organisers of the Norway Chess tournament, was formally ratified through a partnership agreement with FIDE in early October. The aim of the new championship structure is to identify the world’s most complete chess player, one who excels across varying time controls and disciplines.
A pilot edition of the tour will be held during fall 2026 to test the format, with the official launch set for 2027.
Each of the first three events will feature a minimum prize fund of $750,000, while the Finals will offer at least $450,000 to a four-player field. Additional performance bonuses will also be awarded for top scorers at individual events and across the full tour.
Norway Chess CEO Kjell Madland said, “We expect this to become one of the most prestigious events in the entire chess Calendar. We are looking for ‘The Total Chess Player’ – a versatile, tactically intelligent, and technically skilled athlete who seamlessly adapts to multiple time controls. We want to create an entertaining tournament using cutting-edge technology, innovative and engaging TV and streaming broadcasts, and faster formats to open up the sport of chess to a broader audience than ever before. We expect this to become one of the most prestigious events in the entire chess Calendar. We are very honored by the strong trust FIDE has shown in the project. From the very beginning, the federation has been an active and engaged partner — ensuring the project aligns with FIDE’s vision and standards. We want to thank them, and especially the FIDE President, for their close involvement and support.”
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich added, “We are always looking for ways to innovate and push the boundaries of what chess can be. Although chess is already one of the most popular games in the world, its growth potential is still enormous. With the Total Chess World Championship Tour, we give players a new title to compete for, and the audience a faster tournament format, and we hope the tournament can captivate both the existing chess fans and new audiences. We see this as a great addition to the traditional and prestigious World Chess Championship, where we crown the undisputed champion of classic chess. The championships will complement each other and offer even more excitement for the fans. This is not a short-term initiative, but a long-term agreement between FIDE and Norway Chess.”
