What issues did Ian Nepomniachtchi face at the FIDE Chess World Cup in Goa?

Nepomniachtchi cited the extreme heat, humidity, mosquitoes, and jet lag as major problems that impacted his performance at the FIDE Chess World Cup in Goa, India.

What did Nepomniachtchi say about the food options in Goa?

Nepomniachtchi struggled to find suitable food options beyond chicken and rice, finding the local cuisine very specific and difficult to adjust to.

Home / Sports / Russian Chess Star Slams Brutal Conditions at FIDE World Cup in Goa

Russian Chess Star Slams Brutal Conditions at FIDE World Cup in Goa

Q: How did the hotel accommodations in Goa affect Nepomniachtchi?

Nepomniachtchi described the hotel accommodations as "one of the worst" he has experienced, with issues such as unstable power and a lack of proper ventilation in the players' lounge.

11 Nov

•

Summary

Nepomniachtchi cites heat, humidity, mosquitoes, and jet lag as major issues
Hotel conditions described as "one of the worst" he's experienced
FIDE says Nepomniachtchi did not officially complain about the issues

Russian Chess Star Slams Brutal Conditions at FIDE World Cup in Goa

According to a recent report, Russian chess grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi has spoken out about the challenging conditions he faced during the FIDE Chess World Cup held in Goa, India. The event, which took place in November 2025, saw Nepomniachtchi exit the tournament in the second round, and the Russian player has now provided additional details on the difficulties he encountered.

Nepomniachtchi cited the extreme heat and humidity, as well as the persistent mosquitoes and jet lag, as major factors that impacted his performance. He described the hotel accommodations as "one of the worst" he has experienced, with issues such as unstable power and a lack of proper ventilation in the players' lounge. The Russian player also struggled with the local cuisine, finding it difficult to find suitable food options beyond chicken and rice.