Read The inside story of how Singapore pulled off the World Chess Championship – ESPN. In photo, Singapore Chess Federation’s CEO Kevin Goh makes the ceremonial first move in the Game 8 of the World Chess Championship. Maria Emelianova/FIDE
In May 2024, chess really wasn’t a mainstream sport in Singapore. As they were considering a bid to host the 2024 FIDE World Championships, this was a chance for the sport to find a way into Singapore’s public consciousness, while also showcasing the country’s hospitality and ability to pull off events of scale.