Candidates 2026

Mar 29, 2026 – Apr 17, 2026

Click a player's photo to open their games page.

Nakamura, Hikaru
GM Nakamura, Hikaru
FIDE Rating: 2810 Age: 38 Qualified via: By Rating
Achievements: Multiple U.S. Champion, 2011 World Blitz Champion, top-elite super tournament winner.
Caruana, Fabiano
GM Caruana, Fabiano
FIDE Rating: 2795 Age: 33 Qualified via: 2024 FIDE Circuit Winner
Achievements: 2018 World Championship challenger, U.S. Champion, multiple elite event winner.
Wei Yi
GM Wei Yi
FIDE Rating: 2754 Age: 26 Qualified via: 2025 World Cup Runner-up
Achievements: Chinese super-GM, Tata Steel Masters winner, long-term top-20 classical player.
Giri, Anish
GM Giri, Anish
FIDE Rating: 2753 Age: 31 Qualified via: 2025 Grand Swiss Winner
Achievements: Tata Steel Masters champion, elite super-tournament regular.
Sindarov, Javokhir
GM Sindarov, Javokhir
FIDE Rating: 2745 Age: 20 Qualified via: 2025 World Cup Champion
Achievements: World Cup champion, rapidly rising Uzbek GM with strong knockout performances.
Praggnanandhaa, R
GM Praggnanandhaa, R
FIDE Rating: 2741 Age: 20 Qualified via: 2025 FIDE Circuit Winner
Achievements: One of the strongest young players in the world, Olympiad team gold medalist.
Bluebaum, Matthias
GM Bluebaum, Matthias
FIDE Rating: 2698 Age: 28 Qualified via: 2025 Grand Swiss Runner-up
Achievements: European Champion, proven performer in long-format high-pressure tournaments.
Esipenko, Andrey
GM Esipenko, Andrey
FIDE Rating: 2698 Age: 24 Qualified via: 2025 World Cup 3rd Place
Achievements: Won third-place match at World Cup, elite-level wins versus top opposition.