The road to chess’ most coveted titles has formally begun with the FIDE Candidates draw ceremony held at the Cap St. George’s Hotel & Resort in Paphos, Cyprus.
The ceremony set the stage for the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament, scheduled to run from March 28 to April 16, which will determine the challengers for the World Championship crowns currently held by D. Gukesh in the open section and Ju Wenjun in the women’s category.
For India, the upcoming Candidates carries particular significance. Four Indian players one in the open section and three in the women’s event will compete for the right to challenge for the highest honour in world chess. The representation underscores India’s expanding presence at the elite level of the sport.
Praggnanandhaa Leads India’s Charge in Open Section
Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa will be India’s sole representative in the open Candidates field. The Chennai-based prodigy secured his place by winning the FIDE Circuit 2025, earning qualification through consistent performances across the calendar year.
At just 20 years of age, Praggnanandhaa enters the tournament with experience in elite events and a steadily rising world ranking. The draw has presented him with a challenging opening stretch. He will face Anish Giri in round one, followed by China’s Wei Yi in round two. Round three pits him against World No. 13 Javokhir Sindarov, and in round four he will meet Matthias Bluebaum.
The Candidates format typically a double round-robin among eight players demands endurance, preparation depth, and psychological resilience. Early-round matchups often set the tone for the tournament, and Praggnanandhaa’s opening schedule features experienced, tactically versatile opponents.
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With reigning World Champion D. Gukesh awaiting the eventual challenger, the stakes are immense. India’s presence on both sides of the championship equation as defending champion and Candidate marks a notable chapter in the country’s chess history.
Strong Indian Contingent in Women’s Candidates
India’s representation is even more prominent in the Women’s Candidates Tournament, with three players in the eight-woman field. Twenty-year-old Divya Deshmukh will be competing in her first Women’s Candidates. Her qualification was one of the defining moments of 2025. She secured her place by defeating former World Champion Tan Zhongyi, a result that also earned her first Grandmaster norm. Shortly thereafter, in July 2025, she became India’s 88th Grandmaster.
Divya enters the tournament as one of the youngest participants, with a playing style characterised by dynamic calculation and fighting spirit. Her opening round will see her face Koneru Humpy in an all-Indian clash, immediately guaranteeing high stakes for the domestic contingent.
Grandmaster R. Vaishali earned her berth by winning the FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss 2025. Her qualification was built on consistency and composure across a demanding Swiss format. Vaishali opens her campaign against Bibisara Assaubayeva, before meeting Divya in round two and Humpy in round three. The early rounds thus feature multiple intra-Indian encounters, adding an additional layer of complexity to preparation and strategy.
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Veteran Grandmaster Koneru Humpy returns to the Candidates stage once again. A former World Rapid Champion and long-time elite competitor, Humpy finished runner-up in the 2024 Women’s Candidates. Her experience in navigating multi-round elite tournaments could prove crucial. After facing Divya in round one, she will meet Tan Zhongyi in round two and Vaishali in round three.
The Candidates Tournament remains one of chess’ most gruelling events. Unlike knockout formats, it rewards sustained performance over several weeks. Each game carries significance not only for standings but also for momentum.
For Praggnanandhaa, the objective will be to convert preparation into points early while maintaining stability through the middle rounds. The open field features established super-grandmasters and emerging talents, making consistency essential.
In the women’s section, India’s three representatives will navigate both international rivals and each other. The early Indian matchups ensure that at least some domestic points will be redistributed within the contingent. Beyond those games, performances against players such as Tan Zhongyi and Assaubayeva will shape the final leaderboard.
The winner of the open Candidates will earn the right to challenge D. Gukesh for the World Championship. The winner of the women’s Candidates will face Ju Wenjun.
India’s four-player presence at the 2026 Candidates reflects structural depth in its chess ecosystem. The mix of youth and experience Praggnanandhaa and Divya representing the new generation, alongside Vaishali’s recent qualification and Humpy’s established pedigree illustrates the breadth of talent currently active at the highest level.
As the tournament approaches its March 28 start date, preparation phases intensify. Opening repertoires are refined, seconds and analysts finalise novelties, and psychological readiness becomes paramount.
The draw has been made. The pairings are set. Over three weeks in Cyprus, the path to challenging for the world titles will unfold and India will be central to that narrative.
