FIDE CEO Confirms Candidates Tournament Will Proceed as Scheduled in Paphos, Featuring Four Indian GMs

FIDE CEO Confirms Candidates Tournament Will Proceed as Planned in Paphos

Last Updated: March 16, 2026, 11:13 IST

In a reassuring announcement, FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky confirmed that the highly anticipated FIDE Candidates Tournament will take place as scheduled at the luxurious Cap St Georges Hotel and Resort in Paphos, Cyprus. This prestigious event, set to begin in just two weeks, will determine the next challenger for the World Chess Championship.

Sutovsky’s statement comes in the wake of a recent drone strike on a Royal Air Force base in Cyprus, attributed to the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah amidst escalating tensions in the region. Despite these developments, Sutovsky emphasized that Cyprus remains stable and is not currently involved in any conflict. “Plans have not changed. We are working in the final stages of preparing for the Candidates,” he stated in an interview with Chessbase India.

The tournament will feature 16 elite players, including four talented Indian Grandmasters: R Praggnanandhaa, Koneru Humpy, R Vaishali, and Divya Deshmukh. Praggnanandhaa will compete in the Candidates event, aiming to secure a match against fellow Indian star D Gukesh. Meanwhile, Humpy, Vaishali, and Deshmukh will vie for a chance to challenge Ju Wenjun in the Women’s World Championship.

Sutovsky noted that the President of Cyprus is expected to inaugurate the tournament on Saturday, March 28, further underscoring the event’s significance. “We have been monitoring the situation closely, but Cyprus isn’t in a state of war. There is no emergency,” he added, providing reassurance to players and fans alike.

As the chess world gears up for this monumental event, all eyes will be on Paphos, where strategy, skill, and determination will collide in a battle for glory.