FIDE confirmed that Indian GM Koneru Humpy will not participate in the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026. FIDE released a statement and announced that Ukrainian GM Anna Muzychuk will play instead of Koneru.

FIDE regulations state that in case of a replacement, the spot goes to the next highest-ranked player from the “FIDE Women’s Events 2024–2025” series who has not yet qualified. Anna Muzychuk, 9th in the ranking, takes the slot.

GM Anna Muzychuk (2522) is Ukraine’s No. 1 in the women’s ranking. Anna won the Women’s World Rapid Championship in 2016, and the Women’s World Blitz Championship in 2014 and 2016.

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. Public concerns about holding the tournament appeared following the start of the US-Israel war with Iran on February 28. WR Chess CEO Wadim Rosenstein published a proposal to FIDE to relocate the 2026 Candidates Tournament from Cyprus to Germany on March 19.

Credit: Michal Walusza / Norway Chess