The Chess News Podcast, Season 1, Week 5

Just published: Week 5 of The Chess News Podcast where I discuss the FIDE World Cup, Hikaru Nakamura’s road to the Candidates, Eberechi Eze returning to school, and more!

The dominating story of the week was of course the FIDE World Cup in Goa, India, the bi-annual, giant knockout tournament with lots of prize money ($120,000 for first place) and three Candidates spots at stake. It feels like more than ever, big names had to leave early this year. I talk about all the drama so far.

An interesting tidbit was what Anthony Levin pointed out in his news piece for Chess.com: that So will be cheering on Praggnanandhaa and Keymer, the only players above him in the FIDE Circuit standings and not yet qualified to the Candidates. Three players will be qualifying from this World Cup, and if Pragg and Keymer will both be among them, So might end up a happy man after all.

The world’s top three players are sadly missing from the World Cup. It was lovely to see Magnus Carlsen commentating on the Chess.com broadcast this week, where at some point, his wife Ella left a comment in the Twitch chat that ‘lunch would be ready in 25 minutes’, a comment which the producer then put on the show to make sure Magnus wouldn’t miss it.

This was cute. 😀 #FIDEWorldCup2025 pic.twitter.com/bdxuPeklAv

— Peter Doggers (@peterdoggers) November 6, 2025

I am also discussing what world number three Fabiano Caruana was doing in Amsterdam this week, and I mention world number two Hikaru Nakamura completing his road to the Candidates, among other stories (including Arsenal forward Eberechi Eze returning to school).  Enjoy the podcast and if you like it, please subscribe!