India, Oct. 31 -- Vidit Gujrathi summed up the unique amalgamation that is chess and the coastline of Goa. On his packing list, as he told FIDE, will be sunglasses, swimwear and, (but of course) a laptop.

Goa and its beaches are brimming with tourists at this time of the year and over the next month, it will host another large flock - for anything but a holiday.

From Saturday, in a five-star property minutes away from its most popular Baga beach, the FIDE World Cup will kick off with the first round. The tournament features 206 chess players from over 80 countries, with the host nation accounting for a little over one-tenth of that.

The last time India hosted a Chess World Cup, Viswanathan Anand was among the four Indians in a 24-playe...