In a historic moment, Cyprus becomes the epicenter of world chess, hosting for the first time the most important and demanding event for the world championship. The “FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026” takes place at the “Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort”, bringing together eight top male and eight top female chess players who claim the position of official contender for the world title. The event is the natural and institutional continuation of the 2024 tournament in Toronto, Canada, confirming the continuous growth and global interest in the sport. The competition part, which concludes on April 16, will feature the greatest personalities of the chess world, combining a high level of competition with a unique environment of hospitality and experience on the western Mediterranean coast of Cyprus.
The official opening ceremony took place at the “Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort” in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Tourism of Cyprus, Mr. Costas Koumis, who represented the President of the Republic, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides. The event was attended by the Ambassador of Kazakhstan, Mr. Nikolay Zhumakanov, the Ambassador of Qatar, Mr. Yousef Laram, the Ambassador of China, Mr. Zhou Yunliang, the High Commissioner of India to Cyprus, Mr. Manish, the representative of the Embassy of the United States in Cyprus, Mr. Dylan Mahon, the Head of Public Diplomacy of the Embassy of the United States, Ms. Elaine Paplos, highlighting the international importance of the event. The Deputy Minister of Tourism of Cyprus, Mr. Costas Koumis, described hosting this top event as a great honor for the country, underlining the ever-growing reputation of Cyprus as a destination for high-level sporting events. At the same time, the President of the International Chess Federation, Mr. Arkady Dvorkovich, expressed his gratitude to the Government of Cyprus, the local bodies and the event’s partners, the Freedom Group, the Scheinberg family and the “Cap St. Georges Hotel & Resort”, for their contribution to the organization of the tournament in Cyprus and to ensuring excellent conditions for the participants. The opening ceremony was concluded by the unique Thomais Apergi, offering a unique musical experience that combined jazz, soul and swing.
The President of the Cyprus Chess Federation, Mr. Kriton Tornaritis, reminded those present that chess is experiencing significant growth in Cyprus, with the state awarding special awards to talented young people and gifted children, while the CEO of Freedom Holding Corp, Mr. Timur Turlov, noted that chess has helped him create friendships in a wide range of professional spaces, emphasizing that it remains one of the most respected and globally loved games. The Business Development Manager of the “Cap St. Georges Hotel & Resort”, Mr. Konstantinos Malaou, delivered an inspiring message, describing the tournament as a celebration of excellence at the highest level, bringing together some of the greatest chess minds in the world. Where every move matters, every decision has weight and every moment reflects discipline, preparation and vision. Finally, the CEO of “Korantina Homes”, Mr. George Ioannou stated: “At “Korantina Homes”, and at “Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort”, we believe in vision, in careful planning, in solid foundations and in the confidence to open new paths. We believe in creating with purpose, in acting with discipline and in the constant pursuit of excellence. In this sense, the spirit of chess finds its home here”.
In the competitive section, the men’s competition will feature top names in international chess: Javokhir Sindarov, Matthias Bluebaum, R. Praggnanandhaa, Fabiano Caruana, Andrey Esipenko, Wei Yi, Anish Giri, Hikaru Nakamura, in a demanding 14-round program, offering a high-level spectacle. At the same time, the women’s tournament, which also brings together the top chess players, Divya Deshmukh, Vaishali Rameshbabu, Aleksandra Goryachkina, Zhu Jiner, Anna Muzychuk, Bibisara Assaubayeva, Kateryna Lagno, Tan Zhongyi, which enhances the prestige and competitiveness of the tournament. The matches are broadcast live through the official digital channels of the tournament, allowing the global audience to follow every crucial game closely. https://www.youtube.com/@FIDE_chess , https://www.capstgeorges.com/fide-candidates-tournament-2026/
“Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort”, a luxurious five-star resort with international recognition, was chosen for the tournament as an ideal hosting venue thanks to its high-level infrastructure and excellent services. Through this important event, Cyprus strengthens its position on the global sports and cultural map, attracting international interest and confirming its potential as a destination for top events.
Best regards,
“Beautiful People”PR Events
Haris Sianidis