The Candidates Tournament
The elite event that determines who challenges for the World Championship.
Published 2026-02-01 | Last verified 2026-02-12
Professor Archer says: The Candidates Tournament is arguably more dramatic than the World Championship match itself. Eight elite players fighting for a single spot, knowing that one loss can end their dream. The tension is extraordinary, and the chess is among the best you will ever see.
What Is the Candidates Tournament?
The Candidates Tournament is the final stage of qualification for the World Chess Championship match. Eight of the world's top players compete in a double round-robin format (each player faces every other player twice - once with White and once with Black) for a total of 14 rounds.
The winner earns the right to challenge the reigning World Champion. The stakes are immense, and the quality of play reflects it - the Candidates regularly produces some of the most memorable games in modern chess.
How Players Qualify
Players qualify for the Candidates through several paths: top finishers in the FIDE Grand Prix, high performers in the Chess World Cup, wild card selections based on rating, and sometimes the loser of the previous World Championship match.
The qualification process spans roughly two years, ensuring that the eight participants represent the very strongest players in the world at the time of the event.
Each qualifying path tests different skills. The World Cup is a knockout format requiring consistency and nerve. The Grand Prix rewards sustained performance across multiple events. Together, they ensure a diverse and deserving field.
Format and Drama
The double round-robin format is widely considered the fairest in chess because every player faces every opponent with both colors. This minimizes luck and rewards consistent performance.
With only eight players and 14 rounds, every game matters enormously. A single loss can drop a player out of contention, and a single win can propel them to the top. This creates incredible tension, especially in the final rounds when the standings are tight.
The event typically takes place over three to four weeks, testing the players' physical and mental endurance as much as their chess ability.
Candidates FAQ
How often is the Candidates held?
Roughly every two years, timed to precede the World Championship match. The exact schedule depends on FIDE's championship cycle.
What happens if two players tie for first?
Tiebreak criteria are established before the event. They typically include head-to-head results, number of wins, Sonneborn-Berger score, and potentially rapid playoff games.
Professor Archer says: Following the Candidates Tournament is a masterclass in how the strongest players prepare, compete, and handle pressure. Watch the games, read the commentary, and absorb the thinking of the best players on the planet.
Quick Quiz
What format does the Candidates Tournament use?
- Single elimination knockout - Knockout formats are used in the World Cup, not the Candidates. The Candidates uses a round-robin system.
- Double round-robin (each player faces every opponent twice) (Correct) - Correct. The double round-robin ensures every player meets every opponent with both White and Black, producing the fairest possible result.
- Swiss system with ten rounds - Swiss pairings are used in open tournaments. The small field of the Candidates allows a complete round-robin.
- A single long match between two players - That describes the World Championship match itself. The Candidates is a multi-player event to determine the challenger.