A new chapter after the Candidates: the challengers are set

After round 14 of the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament, the chess world has its two biggest answers: in the Open section, GM Javokhir Sindarov claimed first place, while in the Women’s event, GM Vaishali Rameshbabu emerged on top, and both earned the right to play for the world title. Sindarov finished the Open Candidates on 10/14 and will face the reigning world champion GM Gukesh D later this year. Vaishali, who scored 8.5/14 in the Women’s Candidates, will now take on reigning women’s world champion GM Ju Wenjun in the biggest match of her career.

The Candidates is played as an eight-player double round robin, and its winner earns a direct world championship challenge. Historically, the event used to be held as a knockout, but in the modern era, especially since 2013, the eight-player double round robin has become the standard format for identifying the strongest and most consistent contender. In such a format, it is not only opening preparation that matters, but also stamina, psychological resilience, risk management, and endgame technique. Sindarov’s consistency across 14 rounds and Vaishali’s ability to score at key moments made it clear that neither result was accidental.

Sindarov’s triumph should be seen as another sign of the younger generation’s rise in world chess. A score of 10 points in such a demanding field requires not only strong play, but also a flexible approach capable of adapting to every opponent’s preparation. Now he faces a completely different challenge: a world championship match against Gukesh, a player known for exceptional solidity and deep preparation in match play. Vaishali’s success is equally significant. Her winning total of 8.5 points suggests that a new balance of power may be forming in elite women’s chess. Ju Wenjun’s experience remains a major asset, but Vaishali’s dynamic style and fighting spirit make the upcoming match highly compelling.

The tournament’s media coverage also stood out for its depth and quality. Lichess supported the 2026 Candidates with detailed round-by-round blog posts, annotated games, and interviews, allowing fans to follow the event not just through results, but through the chess itself. In the Open event, analysis for rounds 1–7 was provided by GM Axel Bachmann, while GM Maksim Chigaev covered rounds 8–14 and any potential tiebreaks. In the Women’s Candidates, contributions came from WGM Petra Papp, IM/WGM Lilit Mkrtchian, and IM/WGM Ekaterina Atalik across different stages of the tournament. With interviews, video features, and live broadcast links, the Candidates once again proved that it is not merely a qualifier, but the richest chess laboratory on the road to the world championship.