Exciting Matchups Announced for the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournaments

Key Pairings Revealed for Both Open and Women’s Events

Excitement Builds for 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament as Pairings Are Revealed

Cyprus – The chess world is abuzz with anticipation as the pairings for the highly anticipated 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament were unveiled today at a drawing of lots ceremony held at the Cap St George’s Hotel & Resort in Cyprus. The tournament, set to kick off on March 29, will determine the next challenger for reigning world champion GM Gukesh Dommaraju.

In a thrilling first-round match-up, U.S. rivals GM Fabiano Caruana and GM Hikaru Nakamura will face off, with Caruana holding the White pieces. This clash promises to be a highlight of the tournament, as Nakamura has claimed victory in five of their last nine classical encounters. The stakes are high, and both players are known for their fierce competitive spirit.

Other notable first-round pairings include GM Javokhir Sindarov taking on GM Andrey Esipenko, GM Matthias Bluebaum facing GM Wei Yi, and GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu squaring off against GM Anish Giri. Each match-up is set to deliver intense competition, as the players vie for a chance to challenge for the world title.

The Candidates Tournament features 14 rounds of intense chess, with participants playing each other twice, alternating colors. The €1 million prize fund is a significant incentive, but the true prize is the opportunity to compete for the world championship title.

The drawing of lots was conducted by FIDE Vice President Georgios Makropoulos, alongside other dignitaries, in a ceremony that was not attended by the players themselves. The unique format of the tournament ensures that players from the same federation meet in the first round, a measure designed to prevent collusion later in the event.

In parallel, the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament pairings were also announced, featuring a series of exciting match-ups. Notably, GM Divya Deshmukh will face GM Koneru Humpy in a rematch of the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Cup final, where Deshmukh emerged victorious. Other first-round clashes include GM Aleksandra Goryachkina against GM Kateryna Lagno, and GM Zhu Jiner taking on GM Tan Zhongyi.

The Women’s Candidates Tournament will also take place at the same venue, adding to the excitement as players from only four federations compete. The pairings were meticulously crafted to avoid early match-ups between players from the same country, making for a complex but thrilling draw.

As the countdown to the tournament begins, chess enthusiasts are eager to see who will emerge as the next challenger for the world title. With a mix of seasoned veterans and promising debutants, the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament is shaping up to be a historic event in the world of chess.

Round One Pairings:

• Open Tournament:

  • Fabiano Caruana vs. Hikaru Nakamura
  • Javokhir Sindarov vs. Andrey Esipenko
  • Matthias Bluebaum vs. Wei Yi
  • Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu vs. Anish Giri

• Women’s Tournament:

  • Divya Deshmukh vs. Koneru Humpy
  • Aleksandra Goryachkina vs. Kateryna Lagno
  • Zhu Jiner vs. Tan Zhongyi
  • Vaishali Rameshbabu vs. Bibisara Assaubayeva

The games will commence at 15:30 local time (8:30 a.m. ET) on Sunday, March 29. As the chess community gears up for this monumental event, the question remains: who will rise to the occasion and secure their place in chess history?