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The highly anticipated FIDE Candidates 2026 event, set to kick off on March 28 in Cyprus, promises to be a thrilling showdown featuring top chess players from around the globe. Organized in collaboration with a diverse range of partners, including Retail Partner Style Partner, this prestigious tournament is set to captivate chess enthusiasts worldwide.

Indian Express Unveils Exclusive Insights

The Indian Express, a leading source of chess news and updates, has provided a comprehensive guide to the FIDE Candidates 2026 tournament. From the schedule and format to the top players and prize money at stake, chess fans can stay informed and engaged throughout the event.

Exciting Lineup of Players

The FIDE Candidates 2026 event will feature a stellar lineup of players vying for the opportunity to challenge world champion D Gukesh later this year. Among the participants are renowned names such as Hikaru Nakamura, Fabiano Caruana, Matthias Blübaum, Javokhir Sindarov, Wei Yi, and Andrey Esipenko.

Women's Candidates Tournament

In addition to the men's competition, the Women's Candidates tournament will showcase talented players such as India's Divya Deshmukh and Vaishali R. The tournament initially included Koneru Humpy, a prominent Indian player, who withdrew due to safety concerns amid regional conflicts. Ukraine's Aa Muzychuk has stepped in as a replacement, adding to the competitive field.

Tournament Format and Rules

Both the Open and Women's Candidates tournaments will follow a double round-robin format, encompassing 14 rounds of intense competition. In the event of a tie for first place, a playoff will determine the wier eligible to compete in the World Championship Match scheduled for November 2026.

The time control for games will be 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the remainder of the game, with a 30-second increment per move starting from move 41. Players are prohibited from agreeing to a draw before the completion of Black's 40th move.

Generous Prize Fund

The FIDE Candidates 2026 boasts a record-breaking prize fund of one million euros, with the wier set to receive 70,000 euros. Ruer-up and third-place finishers will pocket 45,000 euros and 25,000 euros, respectively. Additionally, players will earn 5,000 euros for every half point scored during the tournament.

Full Pairings and Schedule

Here is a glimpse of the initial pairings for the Candidates 2026 tournament:

Round 1 - March 29, 2026

Javokhir Sindarov vs. Andrey Esipenko
Matthias Bluebaum vs. Wei Yi
Praggnanandhaa R vs. Anish Giri
Fabiano Caruana vs. Hikaru Nakamura

For a detailed schedule of matches and pairings, chess enthusiasts can stay tuned to the official FIDE website and participating media outlets.

Women's Candidates Pairings

The Women's Candidates tournament will also showcase thrilling matchups, with players like Divya Deshmukh, Vaishali R, Aa Muzychuk, and more competing for top honors. The intense battles are set to unfold on the chessboard, offering fans a riveting spectacle of strategic gameplay.

Stay updated with the latest developments and results from the FIDE Candidates 2026 tournament, as the world's best chess players vie for supremacy and a chance to challenge the reigning world champion.