Archive · 17 Sep 2025
Carlsen Backs Pragg for Candidates, Criticizes Tiebreaks
Magnus Carlsen, a top chess player, has shared his views on who should be in the FIDE Candidates tournament, a competition to decide who challenges the current world champion, D Gukesh.
He praised young player Pragg, hoping he qualifies.
Carlsen dislikes how some players qualify, especially using tiebreaks.
He also commented on other players like Nakamura, Giri, and Bluebaum, who are already in the Candidates tournament.
Magnus Carlsen expressed support for Praggnanandhaa's potential qualification for the Candidates tournament.
Carlsen criticized the use of tiebreaks for determining Candidates participants.
The Candidates tournament will decide who challenges D Gukesh for the World Chess Championship.
Anish Giri and Mattias Bluebaum secured spots via the Grand Swiss tournament.
Carlsen also commented on Hikaru Nakamura's recent performance struggles.
- Who
- Magnus Carlsen
- What
- Shared his thoughts on the upcoming Candidates tournament.
- When
- Ongoing, with Candidates 2026 in the future.
- Where
- Not explicitly stated, mentioned Grand Swiss 2025 in Samarkand, Goa
- Why
- To discuss qualification and express opinions on players.
- Event
- FIDE Candidates 2026
- Carlsen's Opinion
- Prefers Pragg to qualify
- Qualification Method Criticized
- Tiebreaks
- World Champion
- D Gukesh
- Qualified Players
- Giri, Bluebaum, Caruana, Nakamura
- Tournament Location
- Goa
