The world of chess is abuzz with a major announcement and intense competition as the FIDE World Cup unfolds in Goa. A humorous social media moment, where top grandmasters incorrectly guessed the location of the prestigious 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament, has been overshadowed by the official revelation of the host city.
The Big Reveal: Cyprus Wins the Bid
Following a series of playful and mistaken predictions from the chess elite, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich ended the speculation. He confirmed that Cyprus will host both the 2026 Candidates and the Women's Candidates tournaments. The events are scheduled to be held from March 28 to April 16, 2026, at the luxurious Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort near Paphos on the island's south-western coast.
This announcement came after a viral video showed players like Levon Aronian guessing Saint-Louis or Chennai, and the legendary Vishwanathan Anand humorously admitting he might "blab it out." Other guesses included London from Anish Giri and Ediz Gurel, Argentina from Arjun Erigaisi, and predictions for Kazakhstan and Poland.
Indian Contingent's High Stakes in Goa
The ongoing FIDE World Cup in Goa is a critical battleground for Indian players. The tournament offers three direct qualification spots for the Candidates, and the Indian challenge is strong. Five Indian talents are among the final 32 contestants vying for these coveted positions.
R Praggnanandhaa, a rising superstar, is also favoured to secure his place via the 2025 FIDE Circuit. Alongside him, Arjun Erigaisi and Pentala Harikrishna are in the running, making India's representation a key storyline.
In the women's section, the success is already palpable. Divya Deshmukh and Koneru Humpy have successfully secured their spots in the Women's Candidates tournament through their performances in the FIDE Women's World Cup. The winner of this tournament will earn the right to challenge China's Ju Wenjun for the Women's World Championship.
A Prestigious Path to the World Championship
Emphasizing the importance of the event, FIDE President Dvorkovich stated, "The Candidates Tournament is the final and hardest test for any chess player wishing to take on a world champion in a match for the title, and it is the most difficult hurdle in the world championship cycle." He also noted Cyprus's proven capability, having hosted FIDE Women's Grand Prix events twice before.
While the Indian chess federation (AICF) had expressed interest in hosting, the 2026 edition will head to the Mediterranean. Meanwhile, several top players, including Fabiano Caruana, Anish Giri, Matthias Bluebaum, and Hikaru Nakamura, have already qualified for the Candidates, setting the stage for a monumental clash in Cyprus.
