Thedayaftergr

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...