Candidates Chess 2026 is in Cyprus
The FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 is an eight-player double round-robin chess tournament scheduled to take place between March 25 and May 1, 2026, to determine the challenger for the World Chess Championship 2026 against reigning champion D. Gukesh. Organized by the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE), the tournament follows a revamped qualification system introduced in 2024, that follows a merit-based qualification pathways through major events, ratings, and the FIDE Circuit. Unlike any other Candidates Tournaments, there is no automatic spot for the runner-up of the previous Championship (Ding Liren). Cyprus is announced as the host city of the Candidates Chess 2026. The Candidates will be held at the luxury Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort near Paphos, on the south-western coast of Cyprus.
The Candidates Tournament 2026 features eight qualifiers selected through diverse criteria. The Candidates 2026 will be joined by the FIDE World Cup Winner, the top two finishers of the FIDE Grand Swiss, the top three finishers of the FIDE World Cup, the FIDE Circuit winners of 2024 and 2025, and one player by Highest average rating (Aug 2025 – Jan 2026).
See Candidates 2026 participants here
FIDE on the Candidates 2026 venue and dates
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 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.