In a historic moment, Cyprus becomes the epicenter of the global chess community by hosting, for the first time, the most prestigious and demanding qualifying tournament for the World Chess Championship. The FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 is taking place at Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort, bringing together eight of the world’s top male players and eight of the leading female players, all competing for the coveted position of official challenger for the world title.

This event follows the 2024 tournament held in Toronto, Canada, reaffirming the continued growth and global appeal of chess. The competition, which concludes on April 16, features some of the most prominent personalities in the chess world, combining elite-level gameplay with an exceptional hospitality experience on the western Mediterranean coast of Cyprus.

The official opening ceremony was held at Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Tourism of Cyprus, Mr. Kostas Koumis, representing the President of the Republic, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides. Among the distinguished attendees were the Ambassador of Kazakhstan, Mr. Nikolay Zhumakanov, Ambassador of Qatar Mr. Yousef Laram, the Ambassador of China, Mr. Zhou Yunliang, the High Commissioner of India Mr. Manish, the representative of the United States Embassy Mr. Dylan Mahon, and the Head of Public Diplomacy of the U.S. Embassy Ms. Elaine Paplos, highlighting the international significance of the event.

Mr. Koumis described hosting this world-class tournament as a great honor for Cyprus, emphasizing the country’s growing reputation as a destination for high-level sporting events. The President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), Mr. Arkady Dvorkovich, expressed his gratitude to the Government of Cyprus, local authorities, partners of the event, Freedom Group, the Scheinberg family, and Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort for their contribution to successfully hosting the tournament and ensuring excellent conditions for participants.

The opening ceremony concluded with a unique musical performance by Thomais Apergi, offering an exceptional blend of jazz, soul, and swing.

The President of the Cyprus Chess Federation, Mr. Kriton Tornaritis, highlighted the significant development of chess in Cyprus, noting that the state supports talented young players through special awards. Mr. Timur Turlov, CEO of Freedom Holding Corp, shared how chess has helped him build meaningful relationships across various professional fields, emphasizing that it remains one of the most respected and globally beloved games.

Mr. Konstantinos Malaou, Business Development Director of Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort, delivered an inspiring message, describing the tournament as a celebration of excellence at the highest level—where every move matters, every decision carries weight, and every moment reflects discipline, preparation, and vision.

Finally, Mr. George Ioannou, CEO of Korantina Homes, stated:

“At Korantina Homes and Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort, we believe in vision, thoughtful planning, strong foundations, and the confidence to break new ground. We believe in purposeful creation, disciplined action, and the continuous pursuit of excellence. In this sense, the spirit of chess finds its home here.”

From a competitive standpoint, the men’s tournament features leading names in international chess, including Javokhir Sindarov, Matthias Bluebaum, R. Praggnanandhaa, Fabiano Caruana, Andrey Esipenko, Wei Yi, Anish Giri, and Hikaru Nakamura, competing in a demanding 14-round format that promises top-tier action.

Simultaneously, the women’s tournament gathers some of the world’s strongest players, including Divya Deshmukh, Vaishali Rameshbabu, Aleksandra Goryachkina, Zhu Jiner, Anna Muzychuk, Bibisara Assaubayeva, Kateryna Lagno, and Tan Zhongyi, further enhancing the prestige and competitiveness of the event.

All matches are broadcast live through the official digital channels of the tournament, allowing a global audience to follow every critical game.

Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort, a luxurious five-star destination with international recognition, was selected as the ideal venue thanks to its world-class facilities and exceptional services. Through this landmark event, Cyprus further strengthens its position on the global sports and cultural map, attracting international attention and reaffirming its dynamic role as a host of premier events.