“I’m investing in Norway Chess because I believe the new Total Chess World Championship Tour can turn chess into an even bigger sport for spectators around the world.”
Erling Haaland
World-Famous Footballer and Investor in Norway Chess AS
BUDAPEST · NOVEMBER 10–20, 2026
Three Disciplines.
One Crown.
Founded by
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Fast, but Classic? Understanding the Three Time Controls
Sometimes we associate chess players with different time controls — some of them are sprinters, while others prefer marathons. Hikaru is known for his bullet games, Fabiano excels in classical, whereas Magnus strikes in blitz. But what if the Champion were tested in all the formats? Who is the best in all of them combined? This is the question Total Chess wants to answer, both at the pilot, and in the full tour starting in 2027 where the FIDE World Combined Champion will be decided. So which time controls will the players face?
Tickets are now on sale
10–20 November at the Anantara New York Palace, Budapest. Only 200 spots per day.
A new era in chess
The world’s best players.
Three ways to prove it.
The Total Chess World Championship Tour is a new world championship founded by Norway Chess and approved by FIDE. For the first time, the world’s top players will compete across three chess disciplines to determine the combined champion.
The official pilot of the Total Chess World Championship Tour will take place from 10–20 November 2026 at Anantara New York Palace Hotel in Budapest. The full tour will take place in 2027 and will unite Fast Classic, Rapid, and Blitz chess in a single competitive journey — spanning multiple cities and continents.
Watch
Videos
Total Chess Explained: The Time Controls | 24 Players, 1 Winner (play video)
Can anyone break Magnus Carlsen's 2882 ELO? (play video)
This is why they are the best in the world | Five icons | Five iconic moves (play video)
Total Chess World Championship Tour | Official Trailer (play video)
Total Chess Explained: The Pilot Format | 24 Players, 3 Time Controls, 1 Winner (play video)
World Reactions
“This seems like a well-thought-out step to further develop chess. Bringing multiple formats together under a single title will provide a more complete view.”
Magnus Carlsen
Five-time World Chess Champion
“Chess at its best is about the entire range, the ability to think deeply, and then switch gears at an instant.”
Viswanathan Anand
Five-time World Chess Champion and Deputy President of FIDE
“The Total Chess World Championship Tour is a brand-new competition similar to the triathlon in athletics. I hope to participate in this event and compete for the new championship title!”
Ding Liren
World Chess Champion
“It’s a great pleasure to share this exciting moment as we witness the launch of a groundbreaking chess tour with innovative rules.”
Wei Yi
Chinese Grandmaster
Latest
News
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Fast, but Classic? Understanding the Three Time Controls
Sometimes we associate chess players with different time controls — some of them are sprinters, while others prefer marathons. Hikaru is known for his bullet games, Fabiano excels in classical, whereas Magnus strikes in blitz. But what if the Champion were tested in all the formats? Who is the best in all of them combined? This is the question Total Chess wants to answer, both at the pilot, and in the full tour starting in 2027 where the FIDE World Combined Champion will be decided. So which time controls will the players face?
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Magdalena Budkiewicz2m
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How to Become a Winner in Budapest? The Format Explained
The pilot event of the Total Chess World Championship Tour is getting closer, and all eyes will soon be on the players competing in Budapest. But what does it take to become the champion? Success depends not only on exceptional chess skills and consistent preparation, but also on navigating a unique tournament format. Let's break it down into four key stages.
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Magdalena Budkiewicz3m
news
Total Chess Proposes New Rating for the Multi-Format Era
Total Chess Rating combines classical, rapid and blitz strength into a single Elo-based measure.
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Dr Mehmet Mars Seven3m
news
Norway Chess wins Best Tournament (Round Robin) at the FIDE Excellence Awards
Norway Chess has been named Best Tournament (Round Robin) at the first FIDE Excellence Awards, and we could not be happier. The winners were announced on 26 September in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, at a ceremony held alongside the 46th FIDE Chess Olympiad.
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Total Chess2m
press releaseannouncement
Total Chess World Championship Tour announces six more stars for Budapest pilot
Hungary, Budapest, September 23 2026 │ Total Chess World Championship Tour, the FIDE-approved global event conceptualised by Norway Chess, has announced six more leading international chess players who will compete in the official pilot event in Budapest from 10–20 November 2026. The list of 24 elite chess players is now complete for the Pilot event.
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Total Chess Press4m
announcement
Volunteer at the Total Chess Pilot in Budapest
This November, Budapest hosts the Total Chess World Championship Tour pilot — and we are looking for volunteers to be part of it.
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Total Chess Editorial1m
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