Countdown to the 2026 Candidates Tournaments: all eyes on Cyprus
FIDE Candidates Tournaments 2026, one of the most critical stages in the chess world, gets underway this Sunday in Cyprus. Held at the Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort, the event will bring together a total of 16 elite grandmasters - eight in the open section and eight in the women's section - to fight for the right to play in the world championship match. As the tournament draws closer, preparations have gathered pace; not only the players themselves, but also the teams responsible for opening preparation, psychological support and technical analysis are getting ready to arrive on the island.
The Candidates Tournament is more than a classical “super-tournament”; it is one of the most high-pressure phases of the world championship cycle. Every half-point scored here can influence not only the standings, but also the fate of a title match that may enter chess history. That is why the conditions at the venue, the quietness of the playing hall, the rest areas and the players' working environment are all of great importance. According to information shared by FIDE, the organisers aim to create a professional competitive setting worthy of top-level players, while also building a chess festival atmosphere that will enrich the experience for spectators.
As in previous Candidates Tournaments, it is not only the games that will take centre stage this year; side events will also be prominent. Fan meet-ups, special activities for chess enthusiasts, possible talks and events designed to enhance the spectator experience are planned to give the Cyprus gathering a broader scope. This approach once again shows that modern chess events are no longer limited to closed elite competition; through broadcasts, analysis, expert commentary and on-site activities, they have become a multi-layered sports-and-culture experience. For followers who will be watching a Candidates Tournament in person for the first time in particular, this event is shaping up to be one of the most special stops on the chess calendar.
As for expert predictions, the concept of a favourite must always be used with caution in a tournament like this. In the Candidates, not only current form but also the soundness of a player's opening repertoire, endurance over a long schedule, preparation surprises and the ability to make the right strategic decisions in critical moments can prove decisive. Since every name in both the open and women's fields is at elite level, a single miscalculation or an error in time trouble can change the balance of the tournament. That is why, although early predictions are intriguing, the real determining factors will be the players' middlegame plans, defensive resilience and consistency across the double round-robin marathon.
This major gathering in Cyprus will once again remind everyone just how demanding and selective the road to the world championship is. On one side stand grandmasters arriving with impeccable preparation; on the other is the global chess public ready to follow their every move. In the coming days, opening choices, novelties, risky pawn sacrifices, technical rook endgames and nerve-racking defensive efforts will dominate the conversation. In short, the 2026 Candidates Tournaments will not only determine the new challengers, but also provide the stage for one of the strongest chess narratives of the year.