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2026 Candidates Tournament: Enjoy World-Class Chess in Cyprus

Published February 24, 2026, 09:11
2026 Candidates Tournament: Enjoy World-Class Chess in Cyprus

Cyprus will host the 2026 Candidates Tournament, a top event that will bring together the global elite of chess at the Cap St Georges Hotel near Paphos. The tournament, with a prize fund of one million euros, will determine the contenders for the World Championship matches for both men and women. Eight chess players will participate in the tournament, which will be held in a double round-robin system. Qualification will be determined based on FIDE criteria, such as the FIDE Circuit rating system, the results of the World Cup and the Grand Swiss tournament, as well as Elo ratings. The organization of the Candidates Tournament is a great honor for Cyprus and is expected to enhance its international reputation as a venue for important sports and intellectual events. It will also inspire a new generation of chess players on the island. The winners of the tournament will have the right to play matches against the world champion (Gukesh Dommaraju) and the world champion (Ju Wenjun).