This cycle presents a contrast for Indian chess. After three Indians — D. Gukesh, R. Praggnanandhaa, and Vidit Gujrathi — qualified for the 2024 Toronto Candidates, no male Indian player has yet secured a spot for the 2026 edition. However, Praggnanandhaa is in a strong position on the 2025 FIDE Circuit leaderboard, currently holding a healthy lead of over 50 points against his closest rival, Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Although Anish Giri is ranked between them in second place, he has already qualified through other means. This effectively makes the final Circuit spot a direct contest between Praggnanandhaa and the Uzbek prodigy, Abdusattorov.

Confirmed Player’s List for Candidates 2026

Candidates quick explainer

Candidates Format

In both the Open and the Women’s, the eight qualified players will compete in a double round-robin tournament, consisting of 14 rounds.

Candidates Tie-break rules: In the event of a tie for first place after 14 rounds, a playoff will be played to determine the winner who qualifies for the World Championship Match, due to take place in November 2026.

Candidates Time Control

The games will be played with a time control of 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move 41. Players are not permitted to agree to a draw before the completion of Black’s 40th move.

Candidates Prize Fund

The minimum prize fund for the event stands at a record one million euros. The winner will pocket 70,000 euros while the player ending second will take home 45,000 euros. The third place finisher will earn 25,000 euros. In addition, each player gets 5,000 euros for every half point scored.