4/4/2024 – Today, 14.30 local time, the first round of the Candidates Tournament 2024 in Toronto will start. Yesterday evening, the tournament kicked off in Toronto with the inaugural press conference and the Opening Ceremony at the welcoming 1 Hotel Toronto, a sustainable sanctuary in the heart of downtown. | Photos: Michal Walusza
new: Fritz 20
Your personal chess trainer. Your toughest opponent. Your strongest ally. FRITZ 20 is more than just a chess engine – it is a training revolution for ambitious players and professionals. Whether you are taking your first steps into the world of serious chess training, or already playing at tournament level, FRITZ 20 will help you train more efficiently, intelligently and individually than ever before.
Your personal chess trainer. Your toughest opponent. Your strongest ally. FRITZ 20 is more than just a chess engine – it is a training revolution for ambitious players and professionals. Whether you are taking your first steps into the world of serious chess training, or already playing at tournament level, FRITZ 20 will help you train more efficiently, intelligently and individually than ever before.
The course is designed to provide a deep yet practical repertoire for Black, balancing solid foundations with aggressive counterplay.
€39.90
FIDE press release Text: WGM Anna Burtasova
George Sovatzis, the Director of Sales and Marketing, set the tone with a warm welcome address. "We take immense pride in being part of this competition as it makes its North American debut," he said.
The press conference, moderated by Anna Burtasova, the event’s Press Officer, featured notable speakers:
Emil Sutovsky, CEO of the International Chess Federation (FIDE)
Vladimir Drkulec, President of the Chess Federation of Canada
Fabiano Caruana (USA), the top-rated contender in the FIDE Candidates Tournament
Vaishali R (India), one of the youngest participants in the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament
When asked about the decision to host the tournament in Toronto, Sutovsky explained, "North America has not seen world championship cycle competitions. However, we were well aware of the chess boom in Canada, with a lot of young players emerging. There are a lot of chess fans in the country. The Scheinberg family’s support for staging the event here, coupled with the backing of the Chess Federation of Canada, made it a logical choice. Judging by the feedback we are getting, by the interest from the fans and the media and by the government’s support, it was the right decision."
Drkulec addressed a recent hiccup that had the community on edge: visa delays for the participants. "We embarked on an adventure to mobilize our entire chess community, ensuring timely visas for the players. I’ve never witnessed so many chess parents, former players, current players, and many others rallying together. We’ve managed to connect with over a dozen Members of Parliament and four Ministers, ultimately resolving the situation. It was amazing to get all this support."
Caruana said he doesn’t feel the pressure from the fact that he’s the rating favourite of the event. "We know that every player here can potentially win the tournament if they bring their best game. The numbers say something about the past performances, but I think it will be a mistake to take any of the players lightly."
The upcoming tournament marks a series of firsts. Not only is Canada hosting this prestigious event as it debuts in North America, the FIDE Candidates Tournament and the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament are being played under one roof for the very first time. Additionally, it’s a momentous occasion as siblings Vaishali R and Praggnanandhaa R compete side by side in this high-caliber event, which has never occurred before.
"We discuss our games all the time and help each other throughout various events," confirmed Vaishali. "We also have our mother here with us; this family support is very important to us."
The Opening Ceremony of the tournament set a delightful tone. Aris Marghetis, the Chief Arbiter, donned a different hat as he hosted the event alongside the charming Charlize Van Zyl. Drkulec took the stage first, expressing gratitude to FIDE and the Scheinberg Family, the main sponsor of the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2024, without whom this event would not have been possible. Adding a touch of humor, Kevin Vuong, Member of Parliament for Spadina-Fort York, shared a witty anecdote from his own days as a chess player 22 years ago.
Each player was then invited to the stage to receive a welcome bag filled with tournament merchandise. A special question awaited them, such as "Oppenheimer or Barbie?" added a personal touch to the proceedings. Alireza Firouzja enthusiastically exclaimed, "Barbie!" while Ian Nepomniachtchi playfully disagreed by declaring, "Definitely Oppenheimer!"
Sagar Shah kept impressions from the opening ceremony on video:
Sutovsky then took to stage and awarded the FIDE Medal of Merit to Isai Scheinberg. The significance of this award is marked by the fact that it had not been presented since 1994. In his acceptance speech, Isai shared that his support for chess was a tribute to his father, who had participated in two Chess Olympiads before pursuing a career in medicine.
Both tournaments will be set in motion on April 4 at 14:30 local time with the first round. Watch the event live on FIDE YouTube with star commentators GM Viswanathan Anand and GM Irina Krush.
GM Blohberger presents a complete two-part repertoire for Black: practical, clear, and flexible – instead of endless theory, you’ll get straightforward concepts and strategies that are easy to learn and apply.
GM Blohberger presents a complete two-part repertoire for Black: practical, clear, and flexible – instead of endless theory, you’ll get straightforward concepts and strategies that are easy to learn and apply.
GM Blohberger presents a complete two-part repertoire for Black: practical, clear, and flexible – instead of endless theory, you’ll get straightforward concepts and strategies that are easy to learn and apply.
Opening videos: Sipke Ernst brings the Ulvestad Variation up to date + Part II of ‘Mikhalchishin's Miniatures’. Special: Jan Werle shows highlights from the FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 in the video. ‘Lucky bag’ with 40 analyses by Ganguly, Illingworth et al.
In this video course, Grandmaster Ivan Sokolov explores the fascinating world of King’s Indian and Pirc structures with colours reversed, often arising from the French or Sicilian.
EXPAND YOUR CHESS HORIZONS
It doesn't get any better than this: the premium equipment perfect for tournament players and professionals: with ChessBase program '26, Mega Database, CORR-Database and much more.
€499.90
We use cookies and comparable technologies to provide certain functions, to improve the user experience and to offer interest-oriented content. Depending on their intended use, analysis cookies and marketing cookies may be used in addition to technically required cookies. Here you can make detailed settings or revoke your consent (if necessary partially) with effect for the future. Further information can be found in our data protection declaration.
Pop-up for detailed settings
We use cookies and comparable technologies to provide certain functions, to improve the user experience and to offer interest-oriented content. Depending on their intended use, cookies may be used in addition to technically required cookies, analysis cookies and marketing cookies. You can decide which cookies to use by selecting the appropriate options below. Please note that your selection may affect the functionality of the service. Further information can be found in our privacy policy.
Technically required cookies
Technically required cookies: so that you can navigate and use the basic functions and store preferences.
Analysis Cookies
To help us determine how visitors interact with our website to improve the user experience.
Marketing-Cookies
To help us offer and evaluate relevant content and interesting and appropriate advertisement.
