American GM Fabiano Caruana shared his expectations for the opening game against Hikaru Nakamura at the 2026 Candidates Tournament. Caruana discusses the advantage of playing white, and notes that in all his Candidates tournaments, he has played against one other American.

Fabiano Caruana

Fabiano Caruana

World's No. 3

“There are no easy opponents at the Candidates this year. I was thinking about what’s better — to start with White or Black. With Black, it’s easier to prepare. But the advantage of White is that it’s the first round, and if your opponent isn’t in shape yet, playing Black becomes harder.

So here you have to weigh the pros and cons a bit. But overall, I’ll play against Hikaru regardless, and it doesn’t matter if it’s the first round or not. When we are the only Americans, it will always be the first round according to the rules.

It’s interesting that at the Candidates Tournaments, I’ve always had another American, but only one ever. In 2018 it was Wesley, and we played in the first round, then Hikaru in 2016, 2022, and 2024. So, I always know my pairing — I just don’t know the colors. That only becomes known shortly before the start.

But in any case, at some point in the tournament, I’ll play against Hikaru anyway — and more than once. And whether it’s in the first round or later, I don’t see that it makes a big difference.”

The FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 will take place from March 28 to April 16, at the Cap St. Georges Hotel and Resort in Pegeia, Cyprus. American GM Fabiano Caruana (2795) qualified for the Candidates six times. He won the tournament in 2018 and then lost to Magnus Carlsen in the Title match, drawing all 12 Classical games and losing 0-3 on Rapid tiebreaks.

Credit: Michal Walusza / FIDE