Is this year’s greatest underdog Matthias Bluebaum? – The Underdog

The FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 is already in full swing, with streamers and top players sharing their takes on the early results. A common narrative has emerged: Matthias Bluebaum is seen as the biggest underdog in the field, but is that really justified? With a rating close to 2700 and back-to-back European Championship titles, his credentials are difficult to ignore. In this episode, Robert Ris has a closer look at one of Bluebaum’s recent victories, explaining why the underdog label might still fit, and how it could become his greatest weapon in surprising the field.