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Cyprus will host the most significant women’s chess event of the year, the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament. Eight of the world’s top players will compete for the right to challenge the legendary Ju Wenjun for the world title.
General Information
Event: FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026.
Purpose: To determine the challenger for the Women’s World Chess Championship against the reigning champion, Ju Wenjun.
Location: Cap St Georges Hotel, Cyprus.
Dates: March 28 โ April 16, 2026 (held alongside the Open Candidates).
Participants:
- Zhu Jiner (FIDE Women’s Grand Prix 2024โ25 Winner)
- Aleksandra Goryachkina (FIDE Women’s Grand Prix Runner-up)
- Divya Deshmukh (2025 Women’s World Cup Winner)
- Koneru Humpy (2025 Women’s World Cup Runner-up)
- Tan Zhongyi (2025 Women’s World Cup Third Place)
- Vaishali Rameshbabu (2025 FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss Winner)
- Kateryna Lagno (2025 FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss Runner-up)
- Bibisara Assaubayeva (Highest place in FIDE Women’s Events 2024โ25)
Format and Regulations
- System: Double round-robin (14 rounds).
- Time Control: 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, then 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment per move starting from move 1.
- Tie-breaks: Rapid and blitz matches to decide the winner in case of a tie for first place.
- Prize Pool: Minimum total of โฌ300,000. The winner receives โฌ24,000, plus a โฌ2,200 bonus for every half-point earned.
Tournament Schedule
Opening Ceremony: March 28
Round 1: March 29
Rest Days: April 2, 6, 10, and 13
Final Round (14): April 15
Tie-breakers / Closing Ceremony: April 16
