An Emotional Seaside Farewell to the 2026 Candidates

The 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament and the Women’s Candidates Tournament came to a close in Cyprus with a striking closing ceremony that will remain one of the most memorable stops on the chess calendar. Held against the magnificent beachfront backdrop of the St. George’s Hotel & Resort, the evening was more than a formal farewell or prize-giving event; it was a collective exhale after three weeks of high tension and elite competition. Traditional Cypriot dances, live music, fireworks, and moments of warm humor shaped a ninety-minute program that highlighted the event’s cultural dimension as much as its sporting significance.

Hosted by Maurice Ashley and Charlize Van Zyl, the ceremony brought together more than one hundred guests, including players, coaches, family members, friends, sponsors, and organizers. After the national anthem of Cyprus and the FIDE anthem, a tournament recap video filled the venue with applause and unmistakable emotion. The Candidates Tournament is widely regarded as the most critical gateway to the World Championship match, so the sense of relief in the room was as natural as the pride. Over the course of three weeks, the very highest elements of chess had been on display: opening preparation, middlegame calculation, time trouble, and psychological resilience.

One of the notable moments of the ceremony was the recorded message from Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides. He stressed the importance of hosting such a prestigious global event on the island and offered special praise for the discipline and dedication shown by the players. Then came a thoughtful address from five-time World Champion and FIDE Deputy President Viswanathan Anand, who reflected on the generational shift now unfolding in chess. Anand’s remarks captured a defining truth of modern elite chess: the rising generation of young grandmasters are no longer occasional challengers, but central figures capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with the game’s established giants.

Later in the evening, the stage was given over to traditional Cypriot music and dance performed by a local troupe. This lively segment gave the ceremony warmth and color, blending the universal language of chess with the cultural identity of the host nation. Such closings are a reminder that modern chess events are no longer judged only by standings and crosstables, but also by their sense of place, story, and memory. In that respect, the 2026 Candidates and Women’s Candidates were not merely tournaments that determined the next contenders for the crown; they also stood as an emotional and historic gathering that signaled the beginning of a new era on the global chess stage.