Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa has officially qualified for the 2026 Candidates Tournament after winning the FIDE Circuit 2025, marking one of the biggest achievements in Indian chess. The announcement on Monday, December 8, triggered celebrations across the country as the young star positioned himself among the world’s elite contenders for the World Championship title.
A Thrilling Final Push in the FIDE Circuit
Praggnanandhaa earned his entry in dramatic fashion by making a last-minute decision to compete in the London Chess Classic Open, a move that proved decisive. His performance secured his place at the top of the FIDE Circuit standings, meaning the results of upcoming rapid and blitz events can no longer impact his qualification. He will now join A-list qualifiers including Anish Giri, Fabiano Caruana, Matthias Bluebaum, and Javokhir Sindarov, while Nodirbek Abdusattorov’s exceptional 19.62-point show in the London Classic Elite was not enough to surpass him.
A Champion’s Rise Fuelled by Major Tournament Wins
Praggnanandhaa’s qualification reflects a remarkable year of excellence. He lifted the Tata Steel Chess Masters title, followed it with victory at the Superbet Chess Classic, and continued his winning streak by triumphing in the International Chess Masters Tournament in Uzbekistan. His comeback is especially inspiring as he exited early in the 2024 FIDE World Cup but rose again to dominate the global circuit, proving his resilience and champion mindset.
