Russian GM Ian Nepomniachtchi made his tier list for the Candidates Tournament participants. He shared his opinion in a video on the Russian-language channel “Chess with Mustreader” on January 26. Nepomniachtchi noted the advantages of Fabiano Caruana and Praggnanandhaa, and shared his opinion on Vincent Keymer.

Ian Nepomniachtchi

Ian Nepomniachtchi

Russian GM

“I think we have two favorites in the so-called Tier-A. This is, to a slightly greater extent, Fabiano, and to a slightly lesser extent, Pragg. I think Pragg plays very well. Overall, he is a very good player, he is quite universal, he has a large choice of openings. And the same can be said about Fabiano, who is simply a very strong chess player.

Next, in the Tier-B, I would put Wei Yi, Nakamura and Giri. I think Giri is a very strong chess player and, of course, he will prepare for the tournament very seriously. But Giri is still to a slightly lesser degree in Tier-B. Tier-C is Sindarov and Esipenko. They are quite young, they may lack experience in some places.

And Tier-D, unfortunately, is Matthaus Blubaum. Everyone expected to see a German grandmaster in the Candidates. I think if it were Keymer, he would be one of the main contenders for victory because he has very steady growth. I rarely saw such a thing. Vincent himself is a very thorough young man. But, as they say, not this time.”

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. Ian Nepomniachtchi has made two major attempts at the World Championship, winning the Candidates Tournament in 2020-2021 and in 2022. He lost both Title matches, first to Magnus Carlsen in 2021 and then to Ding Liren in 2023.