Chess Candidates 2024 Participants Revealed: Nijat Abasov and Alireza Firouzja Among Eight Competitors

The Chess world is abuzz with excitement as the participant list for the Chess Candidates 2024 has been finalized. Eight players, including the likes of Nijat Abasov and Alireza Firouzja, are set to compete in this prestigious tournament taking place in Toronto, Canada in April 2024.

The Chess Candidates 2024 serves as a crucial event to determine the challenger for the current world champion, Ding Liren. The lineup of players for this tournament is as follows: Ian Nepomniachtchi, Nijat Abasov, R Praggnanandhaa, Fabiano Caruana, Vidit Gujrathi, Hikaru Nakamura, Gukesh D, and Alireza Firouzja.

Of particular note is the strong representation from India, with three players, including two teenagers, Pragg and Gukesh, making their mark in this elite field. This marks a historic moment for Indian chess.

One player to watch out for is Alireza Firouzja, whose qualification to the Chess Candidates 2024 was a subject of controversy. Despite facing criticism for his methods, Firouzja managed to secure his spot in the tournament through a series of local Open tournaments, narrowly edging out Wesley So for the final slot based on the highest rating in January 2024.

The Chess Candidates 2024 promises to be a thrilling event, with the winner earning the right to challenge Ding Liren in the 2024 World Chess Championship. Stay tuned for all the action from this high-stakes tournament set to unfold in April 2024.