Russian Grandmaster Andrey Esipenko secured his place in the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 after taking third place at the FIDE World Chess Cup 2025. He described the achievement as the fulfillment of a childhood dream.

Andrey Esipenko

Andrey Esipenko

Russian Grandmaster

“It has been my dream since childhood. It still seems unreal that I actually achieved it. I told myself: just finish the tournament. Whatever will be, will be…”

The FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 is an eight-player chess tournament that will determine the challenger for the FIDE World Chess Championship 2026. The tournament will take place at the Cap St Georges Hotel and Resort in Pegeia, Cyprus, between 28 March and 16 April 2026.

Credit: FIDE/Michal Walusza