The International Chess Federation has introduced an open-air Fan Zone for the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 in Paphos, Cyprus. Hosted by Angelika Valkova, it will offer daily activities and meetings with top players. The zone aims to bring elite chess closer to spectators throughout the event.
The FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026, set to take place in Paphos, will feature an innovative open-air Fan Zone designed to enhance the spectator experience. This dedicated space will operate alongside the tournament schedule, providing a platform for fans to engage directly with the chess world through various interactive sessions.
Angelika Valkova will host the Fan Zone, which includes lectures, masterclasses, simultaneous exhibitions, and discussions involving leading players and chess personalities. A key attraction will be daily visits from the Candidates participants, where two or more players will join audience Q&A sessions, sign autographs, and pose for photos. These players are vying for the opportunity to challenge the World Champion.
In addition to the competitors, confirmed guests include five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand, former Women’s World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk, FIDE Director for Chess Development Nigel Short, and grandmasters Boris Gelfand and Victor Bologan. Educational talks will feature Deputy Chair of FIDE Management Board Dana Reizniece and Dr. Yevgeny Levanzov, covering topics such as “How to think like a Grandmaster” and the links between chess, mathematics, and technology.
Other activities encompass children’s masterclasses, simultaneous exhibitions, and autograph sessions. The programme kicks off on March 29 with a special appearance by Viswanathan Anand and will run through the tournament's fourteen rounds, with events on most days beginning at 16:00. Further guests and activities are expected to be announced closer to the event.
Tickets for the tournament and Fan Zone access are available via https://tickets.fide.com, with fans urged to book early. The official website is https://candidates2026.fide.com/.
