The FIDE Council, that is the strategic and oversight body of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), approved of a new system of qualifications for the Candidates and Women’s Candidates tournaments of 2028 on Tuesday
This move by the council marks a significant change in the way challengers to the World Championship titles are selected. The new set of regulations has been formulated by the Global Strategy Commission.
This year’s editions saw Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov and India’s R. Vaishali winning their respective Candidates Tournament to qualify for the World Chess Championship set to be held later this year.
Here are the key changes to the qualification system:
A new qualification route through the Total Chess World Championship Tour 2026–2027 has been brought in. The top two players among the final standings of the Tour will directly qualify for the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2028.
ALSO READ | I’ve been trying to take risks and express myself: Nihal Sarin after impressive run of form
The number of qualification places up for grabs through the FIDE World Cup and the FIDE Women’s World Cup has been revised. With the 2027 editions, the two finalists of each World Cup will qualify for the respective Candidates Tournament as compared to three qualification places previously.
The rating qualification spot, which existed previously has been removed. Now, instead of qualifying through rating alone, players will have to compete for places through FIDE’s major competitions and season-long qualification events.
The FIDE Circuit will continue to award two qualification seats for both the Open and Women’s Candidates Tournaments. However, instead of only allocating one place per year, the qualification will be based on the combined results across the 2026–2027 Circuit.
The two highest-ranked players over the full two-year cycle who have not otherwise qualified will earn places in the Candidates.
Comments
Published on Jul 15, 2026