FIDE April 2026 rating list published
The April 2026 rating list was primarily shaped by the Prague International Chess Festival, Aeroflot Open, Agzamov Memorial, KazChess Masters and team competitions across Europe. The top 10 Open and Women sections saw a couple of notable changes: Nodirbek Abdusattorov gained 9 rating points and climbed to fourth position following his triumph at the Prague International Festival – Masters, while Divya Deshmukh earned 13 points in the Challengers section and returned to the top 10 Women. Biggest gains in top 100 Open and Women Sivanandan, Bodhana FM ENG 2366 (+98) Nurman, Alua WGM KAZ 2443 (+65) Klek, Hanna Marie WGM GER 2360 (+47) Atwell, Rose FM USA 2390 (+36) Eljanov, Pavel GM UKR 2682 (+23) Kulon, Klaudia IM POL 2372 (+22) Navara, David GM CZE 2643 (+17) Pranav, V GM IND 2657 (+16) Lee, Alice IM USA 2415 (+16) Divya Deshmukh GM IND 2510 (+13) British chess phenom Bodhana Sivanandan tops the list following her excellent performance (+98 rating points) at the 39th Festival International des Jeux de Cannes. The 11-year-old from London broke into the top 100 Women and rocketed to the number one English female spot. Photo: Rafal Oleksiewicz Alua Nurman delivered strong results in both the Prague International Chess Festival Open and Agzamov Memorial, earning her 65 rating points and a career-high 25th position. Hanna Marie Klek and Pavel Eljanov overperformed in various team competitions in Germany, both significantly boosting their ratings, while Klaudia Kulon (pictured below) shone in the Schachturnier zum Weltfrauentag 2026 women’s tournament, gaining 17 points. Photo: Michal Walusza Rose Atwell continues her rapid ascent in the rankings, adding another 36 rating points to her tally in March following her strong showing in the 2026 Saint Louis Masters. Pranav V lifted the trophy at the KazChess Masters and reached a career-high rating of 2657, while David Navara delivered a solid performance on home turf, earning 17 points. Alice Lee triumphed in the American Cup, achieving a career-high rating of 2415.
Caruana, Sindarov, Lagno, and Assaubayeva steal the spotlight at Cap St Georges
With impressive wins over Wei Yi and R Praggnanandhaa, both Fabiano Caruana and Javokhir Sindarov surged ahead of the field, staking an early claim in the tournament race. On 2.5 out of 3 points, they already lead by a full point over the rest, a significant margin, even though eleven rounds remain. The round marked a sharp contrast to the previous day’s quiet play, which saw eight draws. This time, the players delivered fighting chess filled with dynamic opportunities and high-level execution. In the women’s event, Kateryna Lagno scored a crucial victory over Tan Zhongyi in a chaotic encounter, propelling her into the tournament lead. She is joined at the top by Bibisara Assaubayeva, who defeated Zhu Jiner using an aggressive opening approach. This afternoon’s action unfolded at the luxurious Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort, providing a stunning backdrop for high-stakes chess. Two ceremonial first moves added a touch of prestige to the round. Michael Khodarkovsky (FIDE Vice President) had the honour of opening the game for Fabiano Caruana in his clash against Wei Yi. Meanwhile, Dana Reizniece (Deputy Chair of FIDE Management Board) made the symbolic first move in the matchup between R Vaishali and Anna Muzychuk. While the clashes between Matthias Bluebaum vs Andrey Esipenko and Hikaru Nakamura vs Anish Giri remained completely balanced – both played with astonishing accuracy levels of 98–99% – the real fireworks in the FIDE Candidates Tournament came from the other two boards. A decisive miniature at this level is an exceptionally rare occurrence, but today Fabiano Caruana delivered exactly that, surging into the tournament lead with a crushing victory over Wei Yi. Opting for a highly ambitious and risky opening, Wei Yi sacrificed two full pawns in exchange for rapid development and attacking chances. Caruana, however, rose to the challenge and accepted the complications. Reflecting on the critical moments after the game, Caruana admitted: “I was tricked with the move order, I got something I didn’t want and then I had to decide between different lines. I knew that the plan Qa4–Ng5 existed but I couldn’t remember many details. The pawn sacrifices were unexpected, but I had to go for it.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89bYobRC8K4 However, Wei Yi admitted that things had already gone wrong early on: “I was out of the book after Qb5, but then I played terribly and blundered a piece.” Black was already under significant pressure, but the move 17…Ne5? turned a difficult position into a lost one (better was 17…Nf6 although, after 18.d4! Black’s position is no fun). After 18.Nxe5 Rxe5 19.Nd1!, White’s idea becomes crystal clear: there is simply no way to save the trapped bishop on h3. Faced with inevitable material loss and a collapsing position, Wei Yi had no choice but to resign. The other standout performer of the day was Javokhir Sindarov, who secured a crucial victory with the black pieces against Praggnanandhaa. Their encounter quickly spiralled into chaos, as Sindarov sacrificed a piece in the opening for two pawns and long-term initiative. While the soundness of the idea may be debatable, it created a highly complex and double-edged position that proved difficult for both players to navigate. Explaining his decision, Sindarov noted: “If I don’t take the pawn on b4 then I would be in trouble, so I thought it was the best option and that I would find something afterwards.” Despite the imbalance, Praggnanandhaa demonstrated remarkable resilience and managed to keep the position under control, at least until the clock became a factor. As time trouble set in, Sindarov seized his moment, capitalizing on the mounting pressure to convert the game and claim the full point. In the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament, the games between Vaishali and Anna Muzychuk, as well as Aleksandra Goryachkina versus Divya Deshmukh, both ended in draws, but the nature of those draws could not have been more different. The Vaishali – Muzychuk encounter was a model of precision: highly accurate, deeply technical, and virtually error-free from start to finish. By contrast, the game between Goryachkina and Divya was a dramatic struggle. After more than fifty moves of relentless pressure in a typical Goryachkina grind, Aleksandra managed to secure an extra pawn and transition into a theoretically winning rook endgame. However, she ultimately erred and failed unable to convert her advantage, allowing Divya Deshmukh to escape “by the skin of her teeth.” The result served as yet another reminder of the old chess adage that “all rook endings are drawn.” It is worth noting that, in the final phase of the game, Goryachkina was also under significant time pressure. The two winners of the day in the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament were Kateryna Lagno and Bibisara Assaubayeva, who now share the lead. The encounter between Tan Zhongyi and Lagno was a wildly chaotic battle, with the advantage swinging multiple times. True to the old saying “whoever makes the penultimate mistake wins” it was Lagno who held her nerve at the critical moment and delivered a stunning finish. After 42.Qxd5? (better was42.Qxh5 giving up the queen but emerging slightly better) a brilliant, must-see combination followed. Lagno played 42…Nf4!, and after 43.exf4 Rh6+ 44.Kg3 Qd3+!, and White’s position collapsed. The key point is that White cannot interpose with the knight on f3 due to the hanging queen on d5. In the game, 45.Qf3 was tried, but it runs into the spectacular decisive blow 45…g4!! blow. After 46.Qxd3 Rh3#, it is checkmate. Reflecting on the dramatic turnaround, Lagno admitted in the press conference: “I was so disappointed that I even wanted to resign, but then I decided to fight on at least to move forty. However, I do have to improve my time management though.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDk7S0JaVpY The game between Zhu Jiner and Bibisara Assaubayeva was yet another highly complex and tactical battle, one that, in truth, could have gone either way. Assaubayeva once again demonstrated her strength as a counter-attacker. The moment she sensed an opportunity to turn the tables and target Zhu Jiner’s king, she launched a direct and energetic
Global launch: FIDE Preparation of Teachers Course for Women Around the World
As the global Chess Women’s Day Celebration 2026: Visible, Connected, Worldwide comes to a close, the FIDE Women’s Commission, in cooperation with the FIDE Educational Commission, is proud to mark this occasion with a meaningful and lasting initiative. Throughout the month of March, events held across the world have brought together girls and women in chess, strengthening visibility, connection, and a sense of global community. Building on this momentum, the two commissions now join efforts to launch the FIDE Preparation of Teachers Course for Women Around the World – a joint initiative designed not only to support women in chess today, but to help shape the future of the game. Because teachers shape generations. By empowering more women as chess teachers, we contribute to a more inclusive, balanced, and inspiring image of chess worldwide. The presence of female teachers and role models plays a vital role in how young players – especially girls – see themselves in the game, influencing participation, confidence, and long-term engagement. While the FIDE Educational Commission has long been delivering high-level training courses for chess educators, this marks the first edition specifically dedicated to women, creating a unique and supportive environment for their development. Organized within the framework of the Year of Chess in Education, the program introduces a series of online training courses aimed at preparing and developing women as chess teachers across different regions and languages. Course Structure1st Course May 8–10 Language: English Lecturer: Anzel Laubscher Schedule (CEST):• Friday: 16:00–19:00• Saturday & Sunday: 10:00–16:00Registration link: https://cloud.fide.com/s/QiibkJJwtjmAMbs 2nd Course June 5–7 Language: Arabic Lecturer: Mahmoud Roushdi Schedule (Cairo, UTC+3):• Daily: 17:00–22:00Registration link: https://cloud.fide.com/s/zqxESrwRqJ6PP8E 3rd Course July 3–5 Language: French Lecturer: Seddik Sidrine Schedule (CEST):• Friday: 15:00–20:00• Saturday & Sunday: 10:00–15:00Registration link: https://cloud.fide.com/s/BXp6FSJsd32fKQH 4th Course August 7–9 Language: Spanish Lecturer: Frank De La Cruz Schedule (Panama, UTC-5):• Friday: 17:00–20:00• Saturday & Sunday: 09:00–16:00Registration link: https://cloud.fide.com/s/JqpkeaaPYLPY7rP Participation Details Maximum 20 participants per course Maximum 2 participants per country, ensuring global representation Registration deadline: one week prior to each course The FIDE Women’s Commission is pleased to support this initiative through waiving participation fees for all attendees. Participants who successfully pass the exam will only need to pay their SI title fees if they wish to obtain the FIDE School Instructor title. This initiative reflects a shared commitment to long-term impact – not only increasing the number of qualified women chess teachers worldwide, but also helping shape a more diverse, inclusive, and representative future for chess. For further information, please contact: edu.courses@fide.com
Szymon Gumularz and Oliwia Kiolbasa win 2026 Polish Championship
GM Szymon Gumularz and IM Oliwia Kiolbasa are the newly crowned Polish chess champions, both claiming their maiden national titles. The 2026 Polish Chess Championship, featuring open and women’s sections, was held in Warsaw from March 22–30. Like the 2025 edition, the 2026 competitions were 10-player round-robins with classical time control, attracting the country’s best players. Gumularz (pictured below) made a spectacular start in the open event, notching up five consecutive victories that effectively settled the question of the eventual champion. Despite finishing with four draws, he confidently secured the title with a round to spare, scoring an impressive 7/9. Last year’s runner-up, GM Jakub Kosakowski, again claimed silver with 5.5/9, while Łukasz Licznerski edged out Paweł Teclaf and Radosław Wojtaszek to complete the podium (all three scored 5/9). Final standings – Open The women’s event proved much more tense competition that came down to the wire. Despite her first-round loss, Alicja Śliwicka reeled off three straight victories and led most of the tournament. Still, heading into the final round with 6/8, she could not feel safe as Kiolbasa was trailing her by just half a point. In a dramatic turn of events, Śliwicka lost to the 2025 champion Klaudia Kulon, while Kiolbasa pulled off a crucial victory over Maria Siekańska to capture the title with 6.5/9. Notably, the new champion finished with five consecutive wins. The top seed Alina Kashlinskaya, Monika Socko, and Śliwicka shared second place on 6/9, with Kashlinskaya and Śliwicka taking silver and bronze respectively on tiebreaks. Final standings – Women Photos: Polski Związek Szachowy
FIDE Candidates Round 2: A day of draws and moments of missed glory
After the tactical excitement of yesterday’s round, the players opted for a more technical approach this afternoon in the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026. As a result, all eight games ended in hard-fought draws, leaving the standings unchanged, with Fabiano Caruana, R Praggnanandhaa and Javokhir Sindarov leading the field on 1.5/2. In the Women’s FIDE Candidates Tournament, Divya Deshmukh and Zhu Jiner missed great opportunities to take the lead each blundering into tactical sequences against Vaishali R and Kateryna Lagno, respectively. All eight contenders are tied for the lead on 1/2. Viswanathan Anand, FIDE Deputy President, officially opened the second round by making the ceremonial first move in the all-Indian clash between Divya Deshmukh and R Vaishali. After greeting both players, Anand played 1.c4 – the very move later chosen by Divya to begin the game. Clearly, being a five-time World Champion comes with its advantages when it comes to anticipating a grandmaster’s intentions. Playing with the black pieces, Fabiano Caruana opted for a rare move order in the Catalan, allowing Anish Giri to secure a slight edge, though not enough to seriously press for a win. “Anish is generally very well prepared in the openings, so I went for a rare line, but he was ready for it. I suffered a little, but I think I played accurately enough to neutralize the slight pressure he had,” Caruana explained in his post-game interview. Both players delivered an exceptionally precise performance, each achieving 98% accuracy without a single mistake. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bl2Ag1CvU8 Although Wei Yi made a slight inaccuracy in the main line of French Defence, Praggnanandhaa R was unable to fully capitalize. “I’ve played against the French recently, so it didn’t come as a big surprise. I think I got a good position and a time advantage in the opening,” Praggnanandhaa said after the game. Although he eventually managed to win a pawn, the Chinese grandmaster defended resourcefully, steering the game into an opposite-coloured bishop ending and comfortably securing the draw. The “#GreatBluebaumSweep” may have come to an end, but Matthias Bluebaum can still be satisfied with his start to the tournament. Two solid draws in the opening rounds suggest he has arrived in Cyprus with ambitions well beyond merely avoiding last place. “The Great Sweep was obviously a joke, but I’m definitely not unhappy at all with how the tournament has started,” he said with a smile before attending the local press duties. In today’s game, Bluebaum opted for a solid Petroff Defence against Javokhir Sindarov. The Uzbek grandmaster was unable to generate any serious chances, and a draw was agreed on move 42. Meanwhile, Andrey Esipenko pressed a slight but persistent edge against Hikaru Nakamura, even managing to win a pawn. However, Nakamura’s endgame defence proved impeccable: he found a precise way to simplify into a rook ending and held the position comfortably. Despite being the last game to finish, spectators remained fully engaged, following every move until the very end. The first game to finish in the Women’s FIDE Candidates Tournament was an uneventful draw between Anna Muzychuk and Tan Zhongyi, leaving both players on 50% after the first two rounds. The former Women’s World Champion opted for the ultra-solid Petroff Defence – a favourite at the elite level in China – successfully preventing Muzychuk from creating any real chances. A few minutes later, Aleksandra Goryachkina secured her second draw of the event with the black pieces against Bibisara Assaubayeva, improving on a recent game between Arjun Erigaisi and Shamsiddin Vokhidov, which had ended in a win for Erigaisi. Well prepared, Goryachkina chose a safe continuation in a complex middlegame, ensuring a solid result. Playing with the black pieces against Kateryna Lagno, Zhu Jiner obtained an advantage out of the opening after her opponent misplayed her preparation. Gradually improving her position, Zhu accumulated a significant edge and looked on course to claim the full point. However, in a highly complex position and despite being two pawns up, she blundered into a rook sacrifice that forced an immediate draw by perpetual check. Arguably, the clearest opportunity to score in this round fell to the young Indian World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh. After pressing throughout the game in a Carlsbad structure with the white pieces, she seemed on the verge of taking the lead in the event when disaster struck. Following a queen exchange with 37.Qg4!, Divya would have emerged with a clean extra pawn and excellent winning chances in the endgame. “I was not sure what to do after 37.Qg4: I thought my position was very bad,” admitted Vaishali after the game. Instead, Divya opted for 37.Qg3?, allowing 37…Rxc5 38.Qe5+ Kh7 39.Rb8 Rc1+ 40.Kh2. It appears that White is winning: the black queen is under attack, and mate on h8 is looming. However, Vaishali had foreseen a tactical resource Divya walked straight into: 40…Qxh3+! 41.gxh3 Nf3+, after which Black regains the queen and comfortably holds the resulting rook endgame. Both Divya and Vaishali later attended the official press conference, where they analysed this dramatic encounter in detail. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHAjR2eY7iw&pp=0gcJCdsKAYcqIYzv The fun zone, hosted by FIDE presenter Angelika Valkova, featured a nineteen-board simul with former Women’s World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk. Kosteniuk dominated the exhibition, winning 18 games and losing only one. The lucky victor of the single win received a chess clock as a prize. Standings after Round 2 Round 3 will commence on March 31, at 3:30 pm (Cyprus) Round 3 pairings – FIDE Candidates Tournament: Matthias Bluebaum – Andrey EsipenkoPraggnanandhaa R – Javokhir SindarovFabiano Caruana – Wei YiHikaru Nakamura – Anish Giri Round 3 pairings – FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament: Vaishali Rameshbabu – Anna MuzychukAleksandra Goryachkina – Divya DeshmukhZhu Jiner – Bibisara AssaubayevaTan Zhongyi – Kateryna Lagno Official website: https://candidates2026.fide.com/ Event photo gallery: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fide/ Live daily broadcast with GM commentary: https://www.youtube.com/@FIDE_chess Written by IM Michael A. Rahal (Cyprus) Photos: Michal Walusza, Yoav Nis
FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships 2026: Registration now open
The fourth edition of the FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships will take place in Hong Kong from 16 to 22 June 2026, and team registration is now open! Following three successful editions in Düsseldorf (2023), Astana (2024), and London (2025), the championship returns with an exciting format: mixed teams where elite professionals and recreational players compete side by side across rapid and blitz events. Every match is played on six boards, and each team must include at least one female player and at least one recreational player, defined as someone who has never achieved a FIDE rating of 2000 or higher in standard, rapid, or blitz. This unique team composition has consistently produced some of the most compelling chess of recent years. In 2024, Al-Ain ACMG UAE claimed the Rapid title in Astana, while WR Chess Team, led by Magnus Carlsen, took the Blitz crown. Last year in London, Team MGD1, featuring Arjun Erigaisi, won the Rapid championship, and WR Chess successfully defended their Blitz title for the second consecutive year, with Alireza Firouzja, Hikaru Nakamura, and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave all delivering decisive performances. It is very rare to witness and play alongside such Super Grandmaster teams on the chess calendar and the 2026 edition in Hong Kong is already shaping up to be the strongest yet. WR Chess Team have confirmed a formidable roster, with Magnus Carlsen returning to board 1 alongside Fabiano Caruana on board 2 and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave also joining the lineup, while their women’s boards remain unchanged with Hou Yifan and Alexandra Kosteniuk. With reigning Rapid champions MGD1, Hexamind, and other leading teams expected to return, the competition promises to be fierce across both formats. Format and regulations The FIDE World Team Rapid Chess Championship will be played as a 12-round Swiss tournament across three days (June 17-19), with four rounds per day and a time control of 15 minutes for the whole game plus a 10-second increment per move. The FIDE World Team Blitz Chess Championship follows on June 20 and 21, beginning with pool stages before moving to a knockout format for the top 16 teams, with a time control of 3 minutes plus a 2-second increment per move. The total prize fund across both championships is €500,000. The Rapid Champion team will receive €110,000, with the Blitz champion team taking home €75,000. Here’s how the prize money is allocated: Additional category prizes are available for teams in the “Under 2400” and “Under 2200” average rating brackets. Full regulations, including the playing schedule, time controls, and prize fund details, have been published and are available on the official website. How to register Registration deadline: May 15, 2026, 12:00 pm Lausanne time Entry Fee: €1,000 per team, payable by the registration deadline. Each registration must include the team name, the captain’s full name and FIDE ID, the full names and FIDE IDs of all team members, and any visa-related information required by the Organiser. Teams and federations are encouraged to register early, as interest in the championship continues to grow with each edition. The playing venue capacity is limited and only 42 teams can take part – 10 based on their highest ratings and 26 based on earliest registration, with six wild card teams provided by the organizers. Registration form: https://formdesigner.pro/form/view/243338 Regulations (PDF) Official website: https://worldrapidblitzteams2026.fide.com/ Contact: hkchessevent@gmail.com The FIDE World Team Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships are popular amongst players and fans alike, offering a unique space for top Grandmasters, rising stars, and chess enthusiasts to play together and fight for World titles.
Caruana, Praggnanandhaa, and Sindarov take early lead in FIDE Candidates; All women’s games end in draws
The FIDE Candidates Tournament and the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament kicked off this afternoon at the magnificent Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort in Cyprus. The sixteen contenders entered the “Field of Play”, a green-branded playing hall with intertwined Candidates and Women’s Candidates boards, where the most important games are in full view of spectators, just minutes before the start of the round, led by Anish Giri and Kateryna Lagno. Arkady Dvorkovich made the ceremonial first move for Zhu Jiner in her game against Tan Zhongyi, while Criton Tornaritis opened the game for Fabiano Caruana. With it being both the opening round and a Sunday, the playing venue was packed to capacity with spectators. Three of the pre-event favourites, according to several expert predictions, Fabiano Caruana, R Praggnanandhaa and Javokhir Sindarov, scored their first wins to take the early lead. With three decisive results in four games, the tournament is already shaping up to be a memorable event. In his game against Fabiano Caruana, Hikaru Nakamura was caught off guard in the latter stages of the opening and soon came under heavy pressure, both on the board and on the clock. Although Hikaru defended resourcefully and created some drawing chances along the way, he ultimately had to concede. The game concluded on a sporting note, with both players analysing the encounter together. In his post-game interview, Caruana admitted he felt tired and somewhat embarrassed, but ultimately pleased with the result. For fans looking to better understand opposite-coloured bishop positions – with and without major pieces – this game is a must-see. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaVibBQQAu0 Although Andrey Esipenko handled the opening well with the black pieces, he began to go astray as time trouble approached. “I think my mistake was 27…Bxf3, and afterwards I didn’t have enough time and couldn’t figure out what to do,” he said after the game, an assessment immediately confirmed by his opponent. “Now I have more space to manoeuvre my pieces, and his king is not safe,” explained Javokhir Sindarov. Reflecting on the decisive phase, the Uzbek grandmaster added: “After I got my chances, I think I played well, and I also believe I handled the time trouble better.” Exceptionally well prepared for the game, R Praggnanandhaa opted for the Grand Prix Attack – a rare choice at this level. Caught by surprise, Anish Giri spent a significant amount of time navigating the opening, while the Indian prodigy played his moves at a rapid pace. “I think this line is playable and takes my opponent out of theory,” Praggnanandhaa explained after the game. Giri admitted he had anticipated a deviation, though not this particular one. “Although it was OK until I blundered, my position was gradually becoming unpleasant,” he said. The Indian grandmaster went on to convert his advantage with excellent technique in the rook ending. The fourth game, between Matthias Bluebaum and Wei Yi, ended in a solid draw. “I was surprised by 10.Bb5 and forgot the theory after that,” admitted Wei Yi. “Black is always extremely solid, and of course if I manage to get a knight to d4 I can try for something, but he did quite well to prevent that,” added Bluebaum after the game. In the Women’s FIDE Candidates Tournament, all four games ended in draws, underlining the closely matched level of the contenders. Divya Deshmukh introduced a relatively new idea in the Scotch Opening (12.Bh3), a line previously seen in games by Nodirbek Abdusattorov, catching her opponent off guard. Anna Muzychuk, who joined the event in Cyprus following the last-minute withdrawal of Humpy Koneru, spent considerable time in the opening searching for a solution, and eventually managed to simplify the position to a draw. In the all-Chinese encounter, Zhu Jiner unveiled a spectacular piece of home preparation, beginning with the pawn sacrifice 15.f4!, putting Tan Zhongyi under significant pressure both on the board and on the clock. However, the former World Champion proved resilient, defending with precision and ultimately securing a draw. Meanwhile, R Vaishali introduced a new idea in the Sicilian Kalashnikov (5.Ne2 instead of the highly theoretical 5.Nb5), but was unable to generate a tangible advantage from the opening. “I thought I had some chances during the game, as I had much more time, but the position was difficult to evaluate,” said Bibisara Assaubayeva. Vaishali once again demonstrated her defensive skills, holding the position to a draw. In the fourth game, facing Katerina Lagno, Aleksandra Goryachkina missed a major opportunity to score the first win of the tournament. Instead of 24.Nxe5?, the winning continuation was 24.Rxe5!, and after 24…Bxe5 25.Bc5!, White would have recovered the piece with two minor pieces for a rook, securing an overwhelming advantage. While the packed playing venue buzzed with excitement at every move, the fan zone was equally lively. This afternoon, FIDE presenter Angelika Valkova hosted a lecture with former five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand, as well as a masterclass for children led by former Women’s World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk, combining live commentary with interactive engagement for the audience. FIDE Candidates and Women’s Candidates Round 1 results: The second round will commence on March 30 at 3:30 PM (Cyprus). Standings after Round 1 – FIDE Candidates Tournament: 1-3: Caruana, Praggnanandhaa, Sindarov – 1 point4-5: Bluebaum, Wei Yi – 0.5 points6-8: Esipenko, Giri, Nakamura – 0 points Round 2 pairings: Andrey Esipenko — Hikaru NakamuraAnish Giri — Fabiano CaruanaWei Yi — Praggnanandhaa RJavokhir Sindarov — Matthias Bluebaum Standings after Round 1 – FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament: 1-8: Assaubayeva, Divya, Goryachkina, Lagno, Muzychuk, Tan Zhongyi, Vaishali, Zhu Jiner – 0.5 points Round 2 pairings: Anna Muzychuk — Tan ZhongyiKateryna Lagno — Zhu JinerBibisara Assaubayeva — Aleksandra GoryachkinaDivya Deshmukh — Vaishali Rameshbabu Tickets are available here: https://tickets.fide.com/ Written by IM Michael Rahal, FIDE press Officer (Cyprus) Photos: Michal Walusza Official website: https://candidates2026.fide.com/
2026 FIDE Candidates: A ceremony worthy of champions
Cyprus hosts a dazzling opening to the 2026 FIDE Candidates tournaments The games may only begin tomorrow, but every major sporting event deserves a memorable start, and the 2026 FIDE Candidates delivered exactly that. The opening ceremony blended music, fireworks, humour, and moments of gravity into a vibrant spectacle. Even a touch of rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of the audience, who embraced the atmosphere with enthusiasm. The afternoon’s schedule began with a striking photo opportunity. The creative minds behind FIDE’s media team chose the hotel’s “Agora” as the setting: a fitting central stage for the gathering of some of the greatest minds in the world. Immediately afterwards, the players, their seconds, families, and a large contingent of journalists, officials, and dignitaries enjoyed an informal meet-and-greet. This novel initiative gave everyone the chance to get to know one another better while also enjoying some well-deserved refreshments. Towards the end of the allotted time, light rain began to fall, sparking some concern, as the opening ceremony was scheduled to take place outdoors. Fortunately, the indoor contingency plan never had to be activated, as the weather ultimately held. At 7 p.m. sharp, with all players, officials, and guests seated, the evening’s hosts, Christos Kyriakides and Marina Philipidou, took the floor. They welcomed officials and distinguished members of the diplomatic community, including ambassadors and representatives from the United States, Kazakhstan, China, India, the Netherlands, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, and Cyprus, before inviting everyone to stand for the anthems of the Republic of Cyprus and FIDE. The sixteen contenders in the 2026 FIDE Candidates and Women’s Candidates Tournaments were then invited onto the stage. FIDE host Angelika Valkova posed a light-hearted question to each of them, prompting responses that drew warm laughter from the audience and once again showcased the players’ sharp wit and sense of humour. In particular, GM Mathias Bluebaum – also a mathematician – drew laughter when, asked whether every player had a 12.5% chance of winning, he replied: “I won’t argue against uniformly distributed winning chances. I’ll take it!” GM Wei Yi also surprised the audience by revealing one of his secondary passions: poetry. His remark, “If I win the Candidates, maybe I will write another poem to Mr. Ding and invite him to join my team,” earned the loudest applause of the evening. Following a short promotional video, the hosts invited five officials to the stage to address the audience and share a few remarks. The Deputy Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Kostas Koumis, described hosting these two elite events as a great honour for the country, highlighting Cyprus’s growing reputation as a destination for high-level sporting competitions. Meanwhile, the President of the Cyprus Chess Federation, Mr. Criton Tornaritis, reminded attendees that chess is experiencing significant growth in Cyprus, with special government awards being granted to promising young talents and gifted children. The President of the International Chess Federation, Arkady Dvorkovich, expressed his gratitude to the Government of Cyprus, local institutions, and the event’s partners – Freedom Group, the Scheinberg family, and the Cap St. George Hotel – for making it possible to host the tournament in Cyprus and provide optimal conditions for the players. Freedom Holding Corp CEO Timur Turlov noted that chess had helped him build friendships across a wide range of industries, emphasizing that it remains one of the most respected and widely appreciated games in the world. Finally, the Business Development Director of Cap St. George Hotel, Constantinos Malaou, delivered an inspiring message, describing the tournament as a celebration of excellence at the highest level – bringing together some of the world’s greatest chess minds, where every move matters, every decision carries weight, and every moment reflects discipline, preparation, and vision. To conclude the celebration of this remarkable gathering of minds, the hosts welcomed to the stage a performer who embodies harmony and creative brilliance – an artist who moves effortlessly between jazz, soul, and swing, bringing timeless elegance to her craft. Greek singer Thomai Apergi, accompanied by piano and saxophone, captivated the audience with two superb performances, showcasing the richness and versatility of her voice. As music and fireworks filled the air, Arkady Dvorkovich officially declared the tournament open. Round one starts tomorrow Sunday, March 29, at 15:30 local Cyprus time. The games can be followed live on the FIDE YouTube channel with expert commentary by GMs Peter Svidler and Jan Gustafsson. Tickets are available here: https://tickets.fide.com/ Written by IM Michael Rahal, FIDE press Officer (Cyprus) Photos: Michal Walusza Official website: https://candidates2026.fide.com/
FIDE acknowledges CAS decision on Appeal in Case 11/2023
FIDE confirms receipt of the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport regarding the appeal related to the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission proceedings in Case 11/2023. The Court, after having carefully examined the positions of all the parties and the different arguments exposed, has dismissed the appeal filed by UCF against FIDE president Mr Arkady Dvorkovich. Regarding the other aspects of the decision, FIDE will carefully study the details and conduct consultations with Swiss legal counsel and the FIDE Constitutional Commission in order to determine the appropriate steps for implementation in accordance with the FIDE Charter. FIDE remains fully committed to respecting the decisions of the Court of Arbitration for Sport and acting in full compliance with the FIDE Charter and regulations.
Haik Martirosyan wins 19th Agzamov Memorial
GM Haik Martirosyan (Armenia) emerged as the winner of the 19th Agzamov Memorial, edging out GM Artem Uskov (FIDE) on tiebreaks. Only 0.5 Buchholz points separated the champion from the runner-up. The 19th Agzamov Memorial, dedicated to the memory of Uzbekistan’s first Grandmaster, took place in Tashkent from March 17–26. The event boasting a total prize fund of USD 80,000 featured two 10-round Swiss tournaments – Open A and Open B – which together attracted nearly 330 participants, including 20 Grandmasters. Open A was a fiercely contested event, with the winner decided only in the final round. Artem Uskov, who turned 16 during the event, took the sole lead in Round 5 with 4.5/5, but in the following round top seed Martirosyan caught up with him. In Round 7, local favorite GM Abdimalik Abdisalimov joined the duo for a three-way tie at the top. In Round 8, Martirosyan scored a crucial victory over Abdisalimov and surged ahead as Uskov drew with IM Bakhrom Bakhrillaev of Uzbekistan. Going into the final round with a half-point lead over four rivals at 6.5/9, Martirosyan managed only a draw against Nikita Afanasiev (FIDE). Meanwhile, Uskov defeated second-seed GM Abhimanyu Puranik with the black pieces to tie for first place. Still, the title went to Martirosyan due to a hair-thin tiebreak advantage. Both players completed the tournament unbeaten. As many as six players finished a half point behind, sharing third place, with Abdisalimov completing the podium. Final standings – Open A Sultai Chyngyz (Kyrgyztan) and Umar Isomov (Uzbekistan) tied for the first place in the Open B both scoring an impressive 8.5/10 with Chyngyz coming out on top thanks to superior Buchholz. Final standings – Open B Photos: Uzbekistan Chess Federation