The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has approved a new qualification system for the 2028 FIDE Candidates Tournament and the 2028 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament. These events decide who will compete for the World Championship titles. The revised rules are designed to make the qualifiers more efficient by rewarding players for strong performances at major tournaments rather than relying solely on international rankings. These changes were proposed by FIDE’s Global Strategy Commission and are intended to give players more ways to earn a place in the Finals.One of the biggest changes is the addition of the Total Chess World Championship Tour 2026-2027 as a direct route. The top two players in the Tour’s rankings will earn a spot in the 2028 Candidates Tournament.FIDE has also reduced the number of Candidates available through the World Cup. From the 2027 edition onwards, only the two finalists in the Open and Women’s World Cups will qualify, instead of three players as in the past. Clear rules for substitutions have also been put in place if an eligible player is unable to participate.Another major change is the removal of the qualifying position based on votes. Instead, every place will be earned through tournaments such as Grand Swiss, World Cup, Total Chess World Championship Tour, Women’s Grand Prix and FIDE Circuit. In addition, the FIDE Circuit will now award two qualifying places based on combined results in the 2026-2027 season instead of one place each year.
Eligibility criteria are FIDE’s recommendations
The Open and Women’s Candidates Tournaments will consist of eight players. Each event will have two qualifiers from the Swiss Grand, two from the World Cup, two from the Tour or Women’s Grand Prix, and two from the FIDE Circuit.“The qualification system for the Candidates Tournaments is one of the cornerstones of the World Championship, and it is important that it continues to evolve along with the sport,” said FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich. “These changes have been carefully designed to make qualifications more clear, transparent, and job-related. “By introducing the Total Chess World Championship Tour as a new format, improving the World Cup’s distribution of places, and placing a greater emphasis on the results obtained during the tour, we are ensuring that every channel to the Fans is rewarded for winning at the highest level of competition.”