Total Chess chief defends fast classical group stage format
Kjell Madland says the pilot event in Budapest is a way to test the new time control.
Total Chess World Championship Tour chief Kjell Madland has defended the format of the upcoming pilot event in Budapest, Hungary, where World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen and 23 other players will compete. Speaking to Times of India, Madland addressed questions regarding a group stage decided purely by fast classical play.
The tournament begins on November 10 at the Anantara New York Palace. The 24 players will be divided into four groups of six, with the four group winners advancing to the semi-finals. While 20 players will be out of the title race after the group stage, Madland said they are not eliminated and will play all games until the final day.
The group stage uses fast classical, which provides 45 minutes per player with a 30-second increment. Madland explained that because this time control was announced by FIDE in September 2025, the pilot is a way to test it. A nine-round blitz tournament will also take place on the opening day to break ties in the group tables.
The knockout stage, scheduled for November 20, will include Rapid, Blitz, and fast classical formats. The pilot serves as the start of the Total Chess World Championship Tour 2026–27, which provides two spots in the 2028 Candidates Tournament. The event is endorsed by FIDE and co-organised with the Hungarian Chess Federation.