Archive · 7 Dec 2025
FIDE Considers Eliminating Ratings Spot for 2028 Candidates
The Candidates Tournament is a big chess event where players compete to challenge the world champion.
Currently, one spot is given to the highest-rated player not qualifying through other tournaments.
Magnus Carlsen, a top chess player, criticized this system, saying it forces players to participate in less important tournaments.
FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky responded by proposing to remove this ratings spot for the 2028 Candidates Tournament.
Instead, players would qualify through other major tournaments like the World Cup and Grand Swiss.
This change aims to make the qualification process fairer and ensure the best players participate.
FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky proposed eliminating the ratings spot for the 2028 Candidates Tournament.
Magnus Carlsen criticized the current system, calling it 'wild' and 'insane'.
Hikaru Nakamura secured the ratings spot but had to play in less prestigious tournaments to meet FIDE's requirements.
Sutovsky argued that the current system is flawed and needs to be reformed.
The proposed change would rely on the World Cup, Grand Swiss, FIDE Circuit, and Total World Championship Tour for qualification.
- Who
- FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky, World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura
- What
- Proposal to eliminate the ratings spot for the 2028 Candidates Tournament
- When
- After Carlsen's comments on the current system
- Where
- Global chess community
- Why
- To address controversies and ensure the best players qualify
- Event
- Candidates Tournament
- Current Controversy
- Ratings spot qualification
- Proposed Change
- Elimination of ratings spot for 2028
- Key Figures
- Magnus Carlsen, Hikaru Nakamura, Emil Sutovsky
- Current Qualification Paths
- FIDE World Cup, Grand Swiss, FIDE Circuit
- Proposed Qualification Paths
- World Cup, Grand Swiss, FIDE Circuit, Total World Championship Tour
- Carlsen's Stance
- Criticized the current ratings spot system
- Sutovsky's Response
- Proposed eliminating the ratings spot
