FIDE announced changes to the qualification paths for the FIDE Candidates Tournament on July 14. The update is approved by the FIDE Council and will take effect from the 2028 event.

Open qualification paths:

  • FIDE Grand Swiss 2027 (2 slots)
  • Total Chess World Championship Tour 2026-27 (2 slots)
  • FIDE World Cup 2027 (2 slots)
  • FIDE Circuit 2026-27 (2 slots)

Women’s qualification paths:

  • FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss 2027 (2 slots)
  • FIDE Women’s Grand Prix Series 2026-27 (2 slots)
  • FIDE Women’s World Cup 2027 (2 slots)
  • FIDE Women’s Circuit 2026-27 (2 slots)

Qualification by Classical rating was removed. The slot for third place at the FIDE World Cup was removed. The FIDE Circuit is now combined and sums players’ points over two years. Two slots are given by the Total Chess World Championship Tour 2026-27.

The Total Chess World Championship Tour is a new series created by Norway Chess and approved by FIDE. The series hosts tournaments in Fast Classic, Rapid, and Blitz formats. The Tour aims to crown a unified World Combined Champion across all time controls.

The FIDE Candidates Tournament is a prestigious event to determine the challenger for the World Champion title, held since 1950. Qualification by Classical rating was available for every event since the Candidates transitioned to the modern format in 2013.

Credit: Michal Walusza / FIDE