Archive · 28 Jan 2026
Nepomniachtchi Names Praggnanandhaa and Caruana as Favorites
Ian Nepomniachtchi, a famous chess player, thinks that two players, Praggnanandhaa from India and Fabiano Caruana from the USA, have the best chance to win an important chess tournament called the Candidates.
This tournament is like a big competition where the winner gets to play against the current world champion, Gukesh.
Nepomniachtchi also talked about other players in the tournament and how good they are.
He said that Praggnanandhaa is very good because he can play many different types of chess openings, and Caruana is very strong but sometimes gets tired and doesn't do as well.
The tournament will happen in Cyprus from March 28 to April 16, and many strong chess players will be competing.
Ian Nepomniachtchi names R Praggnanandhaa and Fabiano Caruana as the two main favorites to win the Candidates tournament in Cyprus.
The winner of the Candidates tournament will earn a shot to challenge world champion Gukesh later this year.
Nepomniachtchi praises Praggnanandhaa for his versatility and large choice of openings, and Caruana for his strength and preparation.
Nepomniachtchi warns that Caruana can sometimes burn out and not perform as well, as seen in previous tournaments.
The Candidates tournament will be held from March 28 to April 16 in Cyprus, featuring eight top chess players.
- Who
- Ian Nepomniachtchi, R Praggnanandhaa, Fabiano Caruana, and other Candidates contenders
- What
- Nepomniachtchi names Praggnanandhaa and Caruana as favorites to win the Candidates tournament
- When
- The Candidates tournament is scheduled from March 28 to April 16
- Where
- The tournament will be held in Cyprus
- Why
- The winner of the Candidates tournament will earn a shot to challenge world champion Gukesh later this year
- Tournament
- Candidates tournament in Cyprus
- Winner
- Earns a shot to challenge world champion Gukesh
- Nepomniachtchi's Favorites
- Praggnanandhaa and Fabiano Caruana
- Tournament Dates
- March 28 to April 16
- Nepomniachtchi's Tier List
- Tier A: Caruana, Praggnanandhaa; Tier B: Wei Yi, Hikaru Nakamura, Anish Giri; Tier C: Javokhir Sindarov, Andrey Esipenko; Tier D: Matthias Bluebaum