“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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Who Are the Machine, the David Beckham of Chess, and the Madman? Get to Know the Players of the Total Chess Pilot Event
The Total Chess Pilot event will bring together some of the hottest names in the chess world. Most of them are well known to chess enthusiasts for their incredible skills and achievements, and many of us know them through the screens of our computers. But little do people realise that behind every chess player, there is a person with their own childhood memories, hobbies and passions outside of chess. Sounds unreal? Let's get to know some of our players both on and off the chessboard!
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 Pilot schedule | 24 players, 3 time controls, 1 winner (play video)
It's time to sharpen your chess skills | How chess pieces move (play video)
When Praggnanandhaa R stunned the world to win Norway Chess 2026 (play video)
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
feature
Who Are the Machine, the David Beckham of Chess, and the Madman? Get to Know the Players of the Total Chess Pilot Event
The Total Chess Pilot event will bring together some of the hottest names in the chess world. Most of them are well known to chess enthusiasts for their incredible skills and achievements, and many of us know them through the screens of our computers. But little do people realise that behind every chess player, there is a person with their own childhood memories, hobbies and passions outside of chess. Sounds unreal? Let's get to know some of our players both on and off the chessboard!
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Magdalena Budkiewicz10m
press releaseannouncement
Total Chess unveils star-studded broadcast team and new highlight show for Budapest Pilot
Budapest, Hungary, November 3 2026 | GothamChess star Levy Rozman to lead the new Total Chess Highlight Show, while Anna Rudolf, Fiona Steil-Antoni, David Howell and Jovanka Houska anchor the tournament broadcast
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Total Chess Press6m
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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
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