FIDE has approved a revamped qualification system for the 2028 Candidates and Women’s Candidates Tournaments, introducing significant changes aimed at making the road to the World Championship more balanced, transparent, and performance-driven. The revised structure places a stronger emphasis on sustained excellence over the entire World Championship cycle rather than rewarding isolated performances in individual events.
Under the new system, the eight-player Candidates Tournament will feature four equally weighted qualification pathways, with two places allocated through each route. Players can qualify by finishing among the top two in the 2027 FIDE Grand Swiss, the newly introduced Total Chess World Championship Tour (2026-2027), the 2027 FIDE World Cup, or the 2026-2027 FIDE Circuit.
An identical structure has been adopted for the 2028 Women’s Candidates Tournament. Two players will qualify each from the 2027 FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss, the 2026 – 2027 FIDE Women’s Grand Prix Series, the 2027 FIDE Women’s World Cup, and the 2026-2027 FIDE Women’s Circuit.
One of the most notable additions is the Total Chess World Championship Tour, which replaces a direct qualification place previously linked to rating. The new pathway is designed to reward players, who consistently perform at the highest level across multiple elite tournaments during the cycle instead of relying on a single ranking snapshot.
The FIDE Circuit has also been expanded to cover a two-year period, further reinforcing the governing body’s intention to reward consistency over time. By extending the qualification window, players will have greater opportunities to accumulate strong results across recognised FIDE events.
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich said the qualification system is the cornerstone of the World Championship cycle and must continue to evolve alongside the game.
“The qualification system for the Candidates Tournaments is one of the cornerstones of the World Championship cycle, and it is essential that it continues to evolve alongside the game itself,” Dvorkovich said.
He added that the revised format has been carefully designed to make qualification more balanced, transparent and performance-based.
“By introducing the Total Chess World Championship Tour as a new pathway, refining the allocation of World Cup places, and placing greater emphasis on results achieved during the cycle, we are ensuring that every route to the Candidates rewards sustained excellence at the highest level of competition.”
The revised system ensures that all four qualification routes carry equal value, offering players multiple pathways to reach the Candidates while rewarding both standout tournament performances and long-term consistency. The changes are expected to make the qualification race more competitive throughout the two-year cycle and strengthen the overall World Championship structure.
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