Mediterranean Stage Set for Chess History: The 2026 FIDE Candidates Come to Cyprus
The most important tournament in the World Championship cycle will take place between March 28 and April 16, 2026 in Cyprus, bringing the event to a new host nation. Like in Toronto in 2024, the Women’s Candidates will be held alongside the Candidates. The International Chess Federation (FIDE) is pleased to announce the location for the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament and the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament. After debuting in North America in 2024, the iconic event is returning to Europe and will be held at the luxury Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort near Paphos, on the south-western coast of Cyprus. The tournament is the final qualifying step in the FIDE World Championship Cycle. This flagship event was first staged in 1950, and draws attention of entire chess world ever since. Exciting games, sportive drama, thrilling fight till the very last round – all these are emblematic Candidates stories. “The Candidates Tournament is the final and hardest test for any chess player wishing to take on a world champion in a match for the title, and it is the most difficult hurdle in the world championship cycle. Cyprus has hosted FIDE Women’s Grand Prix twice, and the time has come for the most prestigious tournament in chess calendar, the Candidates. I’d like to thank our long-term partners, Freedom Holding Corp. and the Scheinberg Family, who join forces backing the event – we are very grateful to them for their continuous support,” said FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich. Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort is a luxury 5-star coastal resort. Set among olive groves and featuring panoramic sea views, it is one of the most exclusive private compounds on the Mediterranean. “The location and the dates of this tournament are carefully planned and considered to provide players with the best possible conditions. Ever since I stepped to Cap St. George, it felt like a right place to host such an important event. Nearly ideal setting – not only for players, but for fans and media, matched with FIDE efforts to make it an exceptional event, will bring the world a real chess feast. It is not only about a record prize fund, but rather about how the event will be presented to the chess community and wider public,” said FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky. Key details and information about the event Two tournaments will be held side by side – the (Open) FIDE Candidates Tournament and the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament. The FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 will bring together eight of the world’s top players who have qualified through a rigorous system of merit-based pathways, including the FIDE World Cup 2025, the FIDE Grand Swiss Tournament 2025, and the FIDE Circuit. In the Women’s Candidates, the qualification path also includes the Women’s Grand Prix competition. Format: In both the Open and the Women’s, the eight qualified players will compete in a double round-robin tournament, consisting of 14 rounds. Time control: The games will be played with a time control of 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move 41. Draw rule: Players are not permitted to agree to a draw before the completion of Black’s 40th move. Prize fund: The minimum prize fund for the event stands on a record one million euros. Tie-breaks: In the event of a tie for first place after 14 rounds, a playoff will be played to determine the winner who qualifies for the World Championship Match, due to take place in November 2026. For a detailed look at the regulations, please see: Regulations for the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 (PDF) Regulations for the FIDE Women’s Candidate Tournament 2026 (PDF) Venue information: capstgeorges.com/
Commonwealth Chess Championship 2025 begins in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The prestigious Commonwealth Chess Championship 2025 officially kicked off in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, heralding a week of intense competition, strategic brilliance, and international camaraderie. Organized by the Malaysian Chess Federation under the auspices of the Commonwealth Chess Association (CCA) and the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the event runs from November 9 to 15, 2025. The opening ceremony featured a symbolic inaugural game between Bharat Singh Chauhan, President of the Commonwealth Chess Association, and Akhramsyah Muammar, President of the Malaysian Chess Federation. Their friendly encounter set the tone for a championship built on unity, friendship, and sporting excellence that the Commonwealth proudly represents. A total of 373 players from 16 Commonwealth nations are participating in this year’s edition, making it one of the largest and most competitive in the event’s history. The field boasts an impressive mix of Grandmasters, International Masters, Women Grandmasters, and promising young talents, reflecting the growing strength and depth of chess across the Commonwealth. Grandmaster Mitrabha Guha of India headlines the field as the top seed, reaffirming India’s leadership in the world of chess. The event has drawn participants from a diverse range of nations, including Australia, Bangladesh, Botswana, Canada, England, Kenya, Maldives, Mauritius, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Scotland, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and host country Malaysia, competing across multiple categories. Beyond the competitive battles, the championship stands as a celebration of the shared heritage, goodwill, and cultural exchange that unite the Commonwealth nations through the game of chess. Parings and results