Candidates 2026

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CANDIDATES 2026 NEWS

India's Koneru Humpy in action against China's Yuxin Song during FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 qf. (Photo credit: Anna Shtourman/FIDE)

Koneru Humpy could play at Chess Olympiad, at peace with Candidates boycott

May 13, 2026 9:06 am

Veteran pulled out of vital tournament due to security concerns during Iran conflict, but it looking forward to a heavy schedule in the rest of the year

R Praggnanandhaa vs Javokhir Sindarov Candidates

Ian Nepomniachtchi says Praggnanandhaa became 'completely different chess player after losing to Javokhir Sindarov'

April 21, 2026 11:35 pm

India's Praggnanandhaa lost twice at the Candidates to eventual winner Javokhir Sindarov

RB Ramesh speaks with Vaishali R at the Candidates closing ceremony in Cyprus. (Photo: FIDE/Niki Riga)

After Vaishali's Candidates win, her guru RB Ramesh warns: 'She can do even better'

April 18, 2026 9:08 am

Coach RB Ramesh believes prodigy’s ceiling remains distant, citing resilience, relentless work ethic, remarkable comebacks against stronger, higher-rated rivals recently

Uzbek chess prodigy Javokhir Sindarov makes his opening move in the Candidates chess tournament in Cyprus. (Photo: FIDE/Niki Riga)

Kasparov: If Sindarov beats Gukesh, Carlsen might return to World Championship

April 19, 2026 11:00 pm

Garry Kasparov also added: "Javokhir Sindarov looks more impressive than world champion D Gukesh today"

(from left to right) R Praggnanandhaa, Vaishali, their mother Nagalakshmi and 19-year-old Grandmaster Prandesh after Candidates final. (Michal Walusza/FIDE Photo)

Candidates: Meet the group of GMs which helped R Vaishali off the board

April 18, 2026 2:20 am

In a high-pressure environment with a shot at the World Championship at stake, a team of well-wishers and close friends kept the Indian in the best possible frame of mind to succeed

Vaishali with her mother Nagalakshmi and brother Praggnanandhaa after her victory at the Candidates. (Michal Walusza/FIDE Photo)

Inside the making of R Vaishali

April 17, 2026 2:06 pm

Aggression on the board, calculation skills, resilience, unbreakable patience: How Vaishali was forged into a World Championship contender

How Vaishali petted the 'Dragon' unleashed by Kateryna Lagno, like Khaleesi would, in Game Of Thrones

April 16, 2026 4:22 pm

Vaishali had not seen the Russian play the Dragon recently, but knew she had played right into her preparation that included a smooth Knight c - Bishop c4 counter

Vaishali is the second Indian woman to earn a spot at the prestigious World Championship, following in the heels of Koneru Humpy — who challenged Hou Yifan for the women’s crown at Albania’s Tirana 15 years ago in 2011. (Photo Credit: Michal Walusza/FIDE)

When a food poisoning bout and forced 2-month rest worked its magic for Vaishali Rameshbabu to rediscover joy in chess in 2024

April 16, 2026 1:25 pm

Before qualifying for her first Candidates in 2024, Vaishali had come down with a nasty sickness, but the time away from tournaments had helped her relax and reset

Vaishali herself has grown immune to inevitable comparisons with her brother and is comfortable with her own identity. (Photo Credit: Niki Riga/FIDE)

Vaishali Rameshbabu, the chess OG of her family, reclaims spotlight in Cyprus by winning Candidates

April 16, 2026 2:13 pm

For the past few years, the sport lay waiting believing that Praggnanandhaa would grab his spot in the World Championship. Instead, it is Vaishali who is flying home from Cyprus with a ticket to the Women’s World Championship in her grasp.

According to Ramesh the biggest turnaround came after Vaishali endured a disappointing finish at the Chennai Grand Masters event last year. (Photo Credit: Niki Riga/FIDE)

How yoga and meditation helped GM Vaishali in conquering the Candidates

April 16, 2026 12:07 am

Speaking of Vaishali’s comeback, Ramesh, who has been coaching the Women’s GM, revealed the changes that she had brought into her game in the last 12 months.