Anish Giri and Matthias Bluebaum took the first two places at Samarkand’s 2025 FIDE Grand Swiss to qualify for the exclusive 2026 Candidates Tournament. Though there were a number of well-known entrants to the competition—such as Alireza Firouzja, Hans Niemann, Arjun Erigaisi, and Vincent Keymer—least well-known of all was the player who captured one of the qualifying places, thanks to end-round tie-breaks.
The narrow conclusion prompted criticism from ex-World Champion Magnus Carlsen, who is sitting out the current World Championship cycle. The Norwegian GM was vehemently critical of FIDE’s use of tie-break systems to determine qualification, fearing that they jeopardize the chances of stronger players in favor of less consistent ones.
I am out of that game. I am not making those rules. I am a mere spectator at this…it has to be said that it’s incredibly cruel to decide the Candidates spots by tie-breaks as they do. I don’t think it’s a good way to decide Candidates spots, but whatever.” Magnus Carlsen said on Take Take Take podcast
“I don’t really hope for anybody, but I generally hope to see the best there. Probably a couple of more young guys, but there’s not much to choose (from). I hope Alireza makes it, but I am not even sure if he’s going to even play in the World Cup.”
To date, just three of eight Candidates’ spots have been claimed. In addition to Giri and Bluebaum, American Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana already qualified by leading the 2024 FIDE Circuit.
Indian wunderkind R Praggnanandhaa is also set to earn his spot, courtesy of a dominant position in the standings in the 2025 FIDE Circuit.
In the meantime, seasoned GM Hikaru Nakamura is going a different route—playing various smaller events in an attempt to keep the highest average rating within the six-month timeframe from August 2025 to January 2026, a qualification route reserved for the top-ranked player within said timeframe.
The winner of the 2026 Candidates Tournament will eventually face current World Champion D Gukesh for the title.
