3/16/2026 – With the Candidates Tournament set to begin later this month, FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky has addressed concerns about security, travel logistics and organisational preparations in an interview with Sagar Shah. While acknowledging regional tensions, Sutovsky stressed that plans for the event in Cyprus remain unchanged, with contingency measures in place and close coordination with local authorities. | Pictured: Sutovsky at the 2024 World Corporate Chess Championship in New York. | Photo: FIDE / Rafal Oleksiewicz
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FIDE in close contact with Cypriot authorities
With the start of the Candidates Tournaments drawing closer, concerns about regional instability have prompted questions over whether the event in Cyprus could be affected. In an interview with Sagar Shah for ChessBase India, FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky addressed these issues in detail, discussing the federation's preparations, its assessment of the current situation and the practical steps being taken to ensure the tournament proceeds as scheduled.
Sutovsky stated that FIDE's plans remain unchanged despite recent geopolitical tensions. While acknowledging Cyprus' relative proximity to areas experiencing conflict, he emphasised that the country is not directly involved and is not facing an emergency situation. Organisers are continuing to monitor developments on a daily basis and remain in regular contact with state authorities, seeking updated information and guidance.
In this course, we will learn how to identify passively placed pieces in any given situation and how to improve their health by bringing them into active squares.
He also highlighted the significance of the Candidates from the host nation's perspective, noting that it is viewed as a major international sporting event. The president of Cyprus is expected to open the tournament, reflecting the level of official support. Although FIDE has prepared contingency plans for a range of possible scenarios, Sutovsky maintained that there are currently no reasonable grounds to postpone the event or move it to a different location.
The luxurious Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort will be the venue of the 2026 Candidates and Women's Candidates Tournaments | Photo: FIDE
Much of the uncertainty in recent weeks has centred on travel logistics. Disruptions affecting flight routes through Middle Eastern transit hubs have complicated travel plans for several participants, particularly players arriving from Asia. Sutovsky explained that alternative routes via European cities such as London, Vienna or Frankfurt have been identified, and that FIDE is prepared to cover additional costs to ensure that all players and key personnel can reach the venue without undue difficulty.
The FIDE chief acknowledged that some competitors had sought clarification regarding safety conditions, describing these concerns as understandable, especially for those unfamiliar with the region. He stressed that the federation's role is to provide clear and accurate information rather than react hastily to speculation, and pointed to ongoing communication with players, federations and organisers as an important part of the preparation process.
Alongside the sporting contest itself, organisers are planning a range of accompanying activities aimed at improving the overall experience for spectators. The official broadcast will feature grandmasters Peter Svidler and Jan Gustafsson, while former world champion Viswanathan Anand and other notable figures are expected to take part in commentary segments, fan-zone appearances and educational sessions.
Additional initiatives include historical exhibitions on the Candidates cycle and youth-oriented events for local players.
Experts examine the games of Max Euwe. Let them show you which openings Euwe chose to play, where his strength in middlegames were, which tactical abilities he had or how he outplayed his opponents in the endgame. Max Euwe became the fifth World Chess Champion after beating Alexander Alekhine in the 1935 World Championship match. A maths teacher by profession, Euwe remained an amateur throughout his life, but was still the best chess player in the Netherlands, and one of the world's best players. Euwe holds the record for the most Dutch national championships, with twelve. After winning the World Championship, Euwe was also the world's best player for a while. He lost the title again in 1937 in the rematch against Alexander Alekhine.
Free video sample: Openings
In this course, you will learn the foundations and key ideas of the Vienna Game and discover a variety of systems that make you extremely difficult to prepare for. The Vienna Game is one of the most underrated openings in modern chess. While the Ruy Lopez and Italian dominate elite practice, the Vienna offers rich, creative play with far less theoretical burden and enormous practical value.
Free video sample: Introduction
Free video sample: 1: 1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4 exf4 - Martin vs Adams
Carlos Alberto ColodroCarlos Colodro is a Hispanic Philologist from Bolivia. He works as a freelance translator and writer since 2012. A lot of his work is done in chess-related texts, as the game is one of his biggest interests, along with literature and music.
YOUR PERSONAL CHESS COACH - Whether you’re taking your first steps into the world of club chess, or already playing at a tournament level: with FRITZ, you can train more efficiently, intelligently and with a more personalised approach than ever before.
YOUR PERSONAL CHESS COACH - Whether you’re taking your first steps into the world of club chess, or already playing at a tournament level: with FRITZ, you can train more efficiently, intelligently and with a more personalised approach than ever before.
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In this video course experts examine the games of Bent Larsen. Let them show you which openings Larsen chose, where his strength in middlegames were, how he outplayed his opponents in the endgame & you’ll get a glimpse of his tactical abilities!
From the 2026 Candidates Tournament, featuring a video review by Dorian Rogozenco, to Jan Werle’s opening video on the French Tarrasch Defence, and Oliver Reeh’s tactical column ‘Top Grandmasters at Work’. Analyses by Giri, So, Wei Yi and many others.
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In this course, you’ll learn how to take the initiative against the London and prevent White from comfortably playing their usual system by playing 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bf4 Nh5.
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