Press release by FIDE / Photos: Michal Walusza and Rafal Oleksiewicz
The pieces are in position in Paphos, Cyprus, where the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 will soon determine the challenger for the World Chess Championship.
Over fourteen gruelling rounds, eight of the world's strongest grandmasters will battle for the right to challenge the reigning world champion, Gukesh Dommaraju.
The field combines seasoned Candidates veterans with fearless new challengers. Some qualified through spectacular tournament victories, others through consistency across the elite circuit, but all arrive in Cyprus with one goal: to win the most demanding tournament in professional chess.
The Candidates Tournament is widely regarded as the toughest event in the calendar – fourteen rounds, no easy games, and every half-point can change the destiny of the tournament.
To add to the excitement, this year's lineup promises a fascinating clash of styles and generations: experienced contenders such as Fabiano Caruana, Anish Giri and Hikaru Nakamura; rising stars like Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, Javokhir Sindarov and Andrey Esipenko; alongside elite technicians such as Matthias Bluebaum and Wei Yi.
With elite GM commentators Jan Gustafson and Peter Svidler calling the action, one thing is certain: in Cyprus, every move will matter.
Let's take a closer look at the contenders, sorted by their current March 2026 FIDE Ratings.
Hikaru Nakamura (USA, 2810)
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
A five-time US champion and one of the most recognisable figures in modern chess, Nakamura qualified to the Candidates through the rating spot, with the highest average classical rating over the course of the qualification period.
Although entirely compliant with regulations, his performance did not come without some public controversy, as he secured the minimum number of games against lower rated opponents.
Currently ranked number two in the world, his recent fame has grown due to his online presence, but Nakamura has demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout his career, spanning elite classical tournaments, World Championships cycles and countless rapid and blitz titles.
His achievements include gold medal at the 2016 Chess Olympiad, winning Tata Steel in 2011 and Norway Chess in 2023, along with multiple Grand Chess Tour events.
He is widely considered one of the strongest rapid and blitz players in history, winning the 2022 World Rapid Championship and achieving several podium finishes in the World Blitz Championship. As for his online presence, he is one of the most followed chess streamers globally and a popular ambassador for the game on platforms like Twitch and YouTube.
With multiple appearances in the Candidates, few players handle pressure better than Nakamura. If Hikaru finds early momentum, he will become a serious contender for first place.
Fabiano Caruana (USA, 2795)
Qualified by winning the 2024 FIDE Circuit, a season-long competition rewarding elite tournament performances, Fabiano will make his fifth appearance at the Candidates. Currently holding the world's number three rating position, Caruana has been a staple in the fight for the world title for over a decade and is renowned for his deep opening preparation and extraordinary calculation.
The American grandmaster won the Candidates Tournament in Berlin (2018), challenging Magnus Carlsen in London for the World Championship, eventually losing in one of the most evenly fought championship matches in history.
Other tournament successes include the Grenke International in 2015, Norway Chess 2018 and Tata Steel in 2020. His most significant tournament win was achieved in 2014, at the Sinquefield Cup, where he scored 8½ out of 10 against world-class competition, with an extraordinary 7/7 start! He is also a five-time US champion, gold medallist at the 2016 Olympiad and holder of several Grand Chess Tour titles.
As part of his preparation for the event, Fabiano has just finished two events in Saint Louis, including a promising 7/9 score in the Saint Louis Masters.
Caruana is widely regarded as one of the strongest players of the 21st century and one of the most formidable challengers to the World Championship crown. Many analysts consider Caruana the natural favourite and, if experience counts for anything in the Candidates, he has plenty of it!
Wei Yi (China, 2754)
Ranked number seven in the world, China's top player qualified as the 2025 Goa World Cup finalist. This will be his first Candidates appearance.
For many years, Wei Yi was widely regarded as the greatest chess prodigy since Magnus Carlsen. The Chinese grandmaster burst onto the world stage as a teenager with extraordinary tactical brilliance and fearless attacking play.
Wei still holds the record for being the youngest-ever player to cross the 2700 rating mark, which he did when he was 15 years old!
The Chinese grandmaster has produced some of the most spectacular games of the modern era. One of the fan favourites, and possibly one of the best king-hunts in history, is his 2015 victory over GM Lazaro Bruzon.
Winner of multiple elite and invitational tournaments in China and internationally, Wei Yi has also played a key role in China's gold-winning team at the Chess Olympiad (2014) and the World Team Chess Championship (2015).
Wei Yi combines deep calculation, tactical creativity and fearless attacking instincts. When the position becomes sharp, he is capable of producing brilliant sacrifices and spectacular combinations. If the tournament turns sharp and tactical, Wei Yi would be one of the most dangerous players in the field.
Anish Giri (Netherlands, 2753)
This video course includes GM Anish Giri's deep insights and IM Sagar Shah's pertinent questions to the super GM. In Vol.1 all the openings after 1.e4 are covered.
Qualified after winning the 2025 FIDE Grand Swiss in Samarkand, Giri will take part in the Candidates for the third time in his career.
One of the most consistent elite players of the last decade, he has been a fixture among the world's top grandmasters since his teenage years and a regular participant in the World Championship cycle, famously drawing all fourteen games of his 2016 Candidates Tournament games. Meanwhile, in the 2020–21 Candidates, he fought for first place until the final rounds.
With many international tournament victories to his name, Giri has been the cornerstone of the Dutch national team for many years, winning a bronze medal at the Chess Olympiad 2014, alongside a number of strong individual performances on board one at other Olympiad and European team competitions.
Currently number eight in the world, Giri is famous for his deep opening preparation, strategic clarity and technical precision. While earlier in his career he was sometimes associated with solid play, in recent years he has adopted a far more ambitious approach, producing many dynamic and attacking games.
Javokhir Sindarov (Uzbekistan, 2745)
One of the most exciting young players of the modern era, Javokhir Sindarov has rapidly established himself as a leading figure of the new generation.
The Uzbek prodigy's qualification came through one of the toughest routes in chess: winning the 2025 World Cup in Goa, India - a knockout marathon that tested both his nerves and versatility.
Still in the early stages of his career, the Uzbek grandmaster has already built a reputation for fearless play and dynamic creativity, and will make his Candidates debut in Cyprus. Already standing at number twelve in the world, Sindarov has delivered strong results in several elite tournaments, including a gold medal at the Chess Olympiad (2022) in Chennai, where Uzbekistan sensationally won ahead of many traditional chess powers.
He is known for his dynamic and ambitious style, often choosing sharp openings and steering to complex middlegame positions where his tactical strength can flourish.
His games frequently feature bold sacrifices, energetic attacks and creative solutions to difficult positions. Sindarov's attacking style and confidence makes him the tournament's most unpredictable contender.
Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu (India, 2741)
Making his second Candidates appearance, qualifying via the 2025 FIDE Circuit, Praggnanandhaa's rise has been nothing short of spectacular.
Blessed with extraordinary calculation skills, remarkable tactical accuracy and profound positional understanding, the Indian grandmaster has established himself as one of the leading players of the new generation.
Winner of many elite invitational and open tournaments across the international circuit, including the 2024 edition of the Tata Steel Masters, he also played an important role in India's historic 2024 Olympiad victory with the national team.
Still at the beginning of his career, Praggnanandhaa has already achieved what many players dream of. With world-class results and increasing experience at the very top, he is widely considered one of the most serious challengers for the world title in the coming years.
Matthias Bluebaum (Germany, 2698)
Doesn’t every chess game get decided by mistakes? Absolutely. But most players never truly comprehend that they are making the same kind of mistakes over and over again.
The German grandmaster has steadily built a reputation as one of Europe’s most reliable and technically strong players. Known for his encyclopedic opening knowledge, excellent endgame technique and calm tournament temperament, Bluebaum has become a central figure in German chess and a regular competitor in the international elite circuit.
A two-time European champion, Bluebaum is making his debut in the Candidates thanks to his unexpected second place in the 2025 Grand Swiss, ahead of many established and higher rated opponents. He is the third German to qualify for the Candidates, after Robert Hübner and Wolfgang Uhlmann.
Winner or co-winner of several elite open tournaments across Europe, including his own national championship, Matthias is also a key figure in the German team, establishing himself among the leading German players of his generation.
Bluebaum may enter as an underdog, but keep in mind that players who thrive in long Swiss tournaments often perform surprisingly well in the Candidates format.
Andrey Esipenko (FIDE, 2698)
Last but certainly not least, Andrey Esipenko currently occupies the thirty-third spot in the March 2026 FIDE rating list, tied with Bluebaum. He also debuts in the Candidates, qualifying thanks to his third place in the 2025 World Cup.
Esipenko has been knocking on the door of elite chess for several years. Sharing the 2022 European Individual Championship and boasting consistent performances across major events, he finally earned a place in the Candidates.
Known for his fighting spirit and sharp opening ideas, the young grandmaster famously defeated Magnus Carlsen in classical play early in his career. His resilience is notable: after suffering one of the most painful losses of his career in the semifinals, he made a huge comeback last November in Goa in the all-important third-place match.
Esipenko's fearless approach makes him a dangerous opponent in every round. With his blend of creativity, tactical flair, excellent endgame technique and growing experience, he is well-positioned to make a deep run in the 2026 Candidates Tournament.
Photos: Michal Walusza and Rafal Oleksiewicz
Two Super Grandmasters from India explain the ins & outs of Attack, Tactics an Calculations in these two video courses.
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