The FIDE World Championship Match 2026 will feature reigning champion Gukesh D and challenger Javokhir Sindarov in Geneva, Switzerland. Both players will be 20, making it the youngest World Championship contest in history and signalling a generational shift in chess. The match will consist of 14 classical games, with tie-breaks if needed.
World champion D Gukesh defeated his challenger Javokhir Sindarov in the Super Rapid and Blitz event in Warsaw, signalling his readiness for the upcoming World Championship title defence.
Indian Grandmaster R Vaishali remains in contention at the Women's Candidates Chess tournament after drawing with Zhongyi Tan, while Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan won the open section. Key final round matchups are set to determine the final standings.
Javokhir Sindarov clinched victory in the Candidates Tournament with a round to spare on Tuesday, to set up a World Championship match against India's Gukesh Dommaraju.
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa defeated Javokhir Sindarov in the second round of the Super Chess Classics. Other results from the round include victories for Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Vincent Keymer, while Fabiano Caruana and Wesley So drew their respective matches.
Uzbekistan's Javokhir Sindarov has won the Candidates Chess Tournament, earning the right to challenge India's D Gukesh for the World Chess Championship title in 2026.
Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan has significantly increased his lead in the Candidates chess tournament after defeating India's R Praggnanandhaa. In the women's section, R Vaishali leads after drawing with Anna Muzychuk.
R Praggnanandhaa drew with Andrey Esipenko, while Javokhir Sindarov defeated Hikaru Nakamura to maintain his lead in the Candidates Tournament. In the women's event, Divya Deshmukh drew, and R Vaishali faced a difficult position.
Javokhir Sindarov continues his impressive run at the Candidates chess tournament, while Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa draws with Hikaru Nakamura.
Javokhir Sindarov of Uzbekistan leads the Candidates chess tournament after defeating Fabiano Caruana, while R Praggnanandhaa drew his game against Matthias Bluebaum. In the women's event, Anna Muzychuk joined Bibisara Assaubayeva in the lead.
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa faced a defeat in the third round of the FIDE Candidates Tournament, while other key matches saw significant shifts in standings.
Indian Grandmaster R Vaishali's loss to China's Jiner Zhu has thrown the FIDE Women's Candidates tournament wide open.
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa faces challenges at the Candidates chess tournament after a strong start, while Uzbek Javokhir Sindarov emerges as a formidable contender.
Top seed Arjun Erigaisi scored a convincing victory over compatriot R Praggnanandhaa in the first round of the Tata Steel Masters.
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa faced a setback at the Candidates chess tournament, while Javokhir Sindarov increased his lead.
R Praggnanandhaa delivered a statement performance in St. Louis, powering his way to his maiden Rapid & Blitz title with a round to spare.
Uzbekistan's Javokhir Sindarov beat China's Wei Yi to win the FIDE World Cup in Panaji on Wednesday, becoming, at 19, the youngest ever player to achieve the feat.
R. Vaishali leads the Women's Candidates Tournament, while Javokhir Sindarov dominates the Open section, nearing a shot at the World Championship.
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa drew his fourth-round game at the FIDE Candidates Tournament, while Divya Deshmukh suffered a loss. Javokhir Sindarov made significant progress with another win.
Wei Yi holds Sindarov with black in first game of final; Esipenko beats Yakubboev
Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa of India secured the top spot in the rapid section of the St. Louis Rapid and Blitz tournament, scoring 12 out of 18 points.
D Gukesh showcased his World Championship preparations by defeating his title challenger, Javokhir Sindarov, and drawing with Wesley So at the Grand Chess Tour's Super Rapid and Blitz event.
Grandmaster Krishnan Sasikiran has offered advice to World Champion D Gukesh ahead of his title defence against Javokhir Sindarov. Sasikiran highlights Gukesh's tendency for time trouble due to complex play and suggests improving technique, speed, and defensive accuracy. He also advises Gukesh to identify and exploit opponent weaknesses, while acknowledging Sindarov's strong preparation and reliance on memory and speed.
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa faced a setback in the Super Chess Classic, losing to Fabiano Caruana. Other key results saw Javokhir Sindarov defeat Vincent Keymer, while Jorden Van Foreest benefitted from Alireza Firouzja's withdrawal.
D Gukesh, the 20-year-old Indian Grandmaster, discusses the pressures and expectations of being a world chess champion as he prepares to defend his title.
Uzbekistan's GM Javokhir Sindarov set up a title clash against Chinese GM Wei Yi in the FIDE World Cup in Panaji on Sunday as the two players also confirmed their spots in the Candidates tournament.
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa drew with Maxime Vachier-Lagrave at the Super Chess Classic, while other matches intensified the title race. Fabiano Caruana and Vincent Keymer drew, and Javokhir Sindarov secured a victory. The final round promises high stakes with multiple players in contention for the title.
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa is set to compete against Alireza Firouzja of France in the opening round of the Super Chess Classic in Bucharest, marking his first classical event of the year as part of the Grand Chess Tour.
D Gukesh's prolonged form slump might be a talking point in the chess world right now but his World Championship challenger Javokhir Sindarov sees no obvious weakness in the Indian's game.
Indian Grandmaster Nihal Sarin believes team chemistry will be vital for Fyers American Gambits' success in the upcoming Global Chess League. The tournament, featuring elite players and a unique team format, will also serve as preparation for the Chess Olympiad. Sarin highlights the challenge and excitement of integrating diverse playing styles into a cohesive unit.
R Praggnanandhaa drew with Fabiano Caruana, while his sister R Vaishali won against Tan Zhongyi in the seventh round of the FIDE Candidates 2026 tournament.
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa faced a defeat in the third round of the FIDE Candidates Tournament against Javokhir Sindarov, while Fabiano Caruana surged ahead. In the women's event, Bibisara Assaubayeva secured the first victory.
R Vaishali kept Indian hopes alive by defeating Divya Deshmukh in the ninth round of the Women's Candidates Chess Tournament, while Anish Giri's victory impacted Fabiana Caruana's chances in the open section.
Indian Grandmaster R Vaishali faces a tough challenge in the Candidates chess tournament after losing her lead, while Javokhir Sindarov dominates the open section.
Indian Grandmaster R Vaishali's loss to China's Jiner Zhu has thrown the Women's Candidates Tournament wide open, while Javokhir Sindarov is closing in on a dominant victory in the open section.
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa is set to compete against Romania's Deac Bogdan-Daniel in the sixth round of the Super Chess Classic, part of the Grand Chess Tour, aiming to end his series of draws.
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa will face Romania's Deac Bogdan-Daniel in the sixth round of the Super Chess Classic, part of the Grand Chess Tour, hoping to end his series of draws.
With D Gukesh and R Vaishali set to play world title matches, experts urge India to bid for hosting rights, calling it a major boost for the sport.
Indian chess Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa, who turned 21, has already amassed a remarkable list of achievements, including becoming a Grandmaster at 12, reaching a career-high world ranking of No. 4, and recently winning the Grand Chess Tour St Louis Rapid and Blitz title.
Grandmaster R Vaishali emerged victorious at the Women's Candidates Tournament, earning the right to challenge Ju Wenjun for the World Championship title.
