The Women’s Candidates began in Pegeia with four draws in round one, though the games featured a number of missed chances. The event, held alongside the open section for a second time, brings together five returning players from 2024 and three young talents. Early pairings included two all-national encounters, while late changes following Humpy Koneru’s […]
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The KazChess Masters, held in Shymkent from 21 to 29 March, brought together five experienced international grandmasters and five emerging Kazakhstani players in a single round-robin format. Pranav Venkatesh secured first place with 7½/9, finishing clear of Shamsiddin Vokhidov. The event also highlighted the progress of local talents, notably Danis Kuandykuly (born in 2013), who […]
The Candidates Tournaments form the final qualifying stage of the FIDE World Championship cycle. Each tournament features eight of the world’s strongest players competing in a double round-robin format over fourteen rounds of classical chess. The first round features the clash of top seeds in the open section, with Fabiano Caruana playing white against Hikaru […]
Head-to-head records between the participants of the Candidates Tournaments provide useful context for each pairing. Drawing on data compiled via Mega Database 2026, the key statistics from past encounters highlight imbalances and trends. While such figures are not decisive, they offer an additional perspective on how rivalries have developed before a tournament that will determine […]
Tactical analysis is not just exciting, but it is very practical. With ChessBase´26, it is easy to use its findings. In this episode, learn how you can use this ChessBase function to complement your analysis and make it more effective.
The Candidates Tournaments opened with a ceremonial evening combining formal addresses, player introductions and cultural performances, setting the stage for the competitions ahead. Held in Cyprus, the event brought together all sixteen contenders from the open and women’s sections, alongside officials and guests. With the opening ceremony concluded, attention now turns to the start of […]
In this episode of Svitlana’s Smart Moves, Svitlana continues her Candidates series by presenting one key tactical moment from each player in the Women’s Candidates, while Arne tries to solve them along the way. The positions showcase a wide range of attacking and endgame ideas, from classic double-bishop sacrifices to precise defensive resources and beautiful […]
With the first round of the Candidates Tournament set to begin on Sunday, we are just hours away from the start of one of chess’ most demanding events. In a series of videos, GM Daniel King profiles all eight participants, offering a clear and concise overview of their strengths, weaknesses and prospects ahead of the […]
The Court of Arbitration for Sport has ruled in favour of Ukraine in its case against the Chess Federation of Russia, concluding that earlier sanctions imposed by FIDE were insufficient. The decision requires the Russian Federation to cease organising chess activities in several annexed regions within 90 days or face suspension from international competition. The […]
An overview of the Opening Encyclopaedia 2026 highlights its role as a structured resource for studying modern opening theory. Combining articles, annotated games and video content, it offers both broad coverage and practical guidance. With contributions from authors such as Daniel King and Dorian Rogozenco, the material spans introductory tutorials and detailed analysis, alongside an […]