The FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026 begins on March 28 in Cyprus, where eight top female chess players will compete in a double round-robin format to earn a challenge against Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun. The event at the Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort blends experienced veterans with rising talents. Full pairings have been released, setting the stage for 14 rounds of classical play.
The tournament, hosted on the western side of the Mediterranean island of Cyprus, will determine the challenger for China’s Ju Wenjun in the World Championship cycle. Players from the same federation are scheduled to meet in early rounds, as per FIDE regulations.
The field includes a mix of seasoned competitors and young prospects, sorted by their March 2026 FIDE ratings:
Zhu Jiner (China, 2578): The highest-rated participant, she qualified by winning the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix 2024–25 series. Known for her aggressive style and strong opening preparation, this marks her Candidates debut.
Humpy Koneru (India, 2535): A veteran with multiple Candidates appearances, she earned her spot as runner-up in the 2025 Women’s World Cup in Batumi. Her calm, positional play has secured her five World Rapid and Blitz medals.
Tan Zhongyi (China, 2535): Former Women’s World Champion (2017–2018), she qualified via third place in the 2025 Women’s World Cup. Renowned for strategic depth, she won the 2024 Women’s Candidates in Toronto.
Aleksandra Goryachkina (FIDE, 2534): A technically refined player, she qualified as runner-up in the 2024–25 FIDE Women’s Grand Prix. She won the 2023 Women’s World Cup and the 2025 Women’s World Rapid Championship.
Bibisara Assaubayeva (Kazakhstan, 2516): Qualified through the FIDE Women’s Events 2024–25 series. A three-time Women’s World Blitz Champion, she recently reached a career-high rating after the Tata Steel Challengers.
Kateryna Lagno (FIDE, 2508): Runner-up at the 2025 FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss, she brings extensive experience, including multiple blitz titles and Olympiad golds.
Divya Deshmukh (India, 2497): The youngest contender, she won the 2025 Women’s World Cup and earned the Grandmaster title. She contributed to India’s 2024 Chess Olympiad gold.
Vaishali Rameshbabu (India, 2470): Winner of the 2025 FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss, she also secured gold at the 2024 Olympiad. Her tactical awareness makes her a strong contender despite the lowest rating.
The double round-robin format promises critical matchups between generations, with styles ranging from tactical dynamism to strategic grinding. Official website: https://candidates2026.fide.com/. Tickets: https://tickets.fide.com/.
