Erigaisi, Gukesh seeded prime two for FIDE Grand Swiss, a gateway to Candidates

As per rules, the highest two in each the Open and the Women’s competitors will qualify for the 2026 Candidates match, the place the challenger for the title of world champion will likely be decided.

The rule requiring gamers to have competed in 30 plus classical rated video games between July 2024 and June 2025 has excluded high-profile names reminiscent of former world champions Magnus Carlsen and Viswanathan Anand.

Former world champion Ding Liren is not going to be taking part within the occasion both. Fabiano Caruana, who performed in all three earlier Grand Swiss tournaments, can even not be participating, having already secured a spot within the 2026 Candidates Tournament by successful the 2024 FIDE Circuit.

Erigaisi and Gukesh are primary and two seeds respectively, whereas R Praggnanandhaa is seeded fourth, simply behind Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Another star teenager, 22-year-old world quantity eight Alireza Firouzja, is ranked fifth.

The the rest of the highest 10 within the Open part is made up of extra seasoned Grandmasters — two-time World Championship challenger Ian Nepomniachtchi, Anish Giri, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov, Levon Aronian, and Vladimir Fedoseev.

The Grand Swiss is likely one of the most vital tournaments within the chess calendar as it’s a pathway to the Candidates match. The 2023 Grand Swiss was gained by India’s Vidit Gujrathi (Open) and R Vaishali (Women).

The 11-round Swiss format match will characteristic 172 gamers — 116 within the Open and 56 within the Women’s match.

Apart from serving because the qualifier for the Candidates, the Grand Swiss additionally incorporates a notable prize fund, which has been considerably elevated from the final version.

The prize fund within the Open occasion is $625,000 (elevated from $460,000 in 2023). In the Women’s competitors, the prize fund could be $230,000 (up from $140,000 in 2023).

Among 116 gamers within the Open, 101 have certified by score, with the remaining spots allotted to continental representatives, six FIDE wildcards and 5 are nominated from the native organiser.

Bolstering the younger presence on the occasion are Hans Niemann (22), Vincent Keymer (20), Javokhir Sindarov (19), Nihal Sarin (20) and Awonder Liang (22), who’re all among the many prime 20.

Former candidate for the title of world champion Boris Gelfand, in addition to former girls’s world championship challenger Aleksandra Goryachkina can even play within the Open, after receiving wildcard invites.

The Women’s match

In the Women’s Grand Swiss, 44 gamers have certified by score. Four further gamers are becoming a member of them from continental spots, 4 through FIDE wildcards, and one other 4 as nominations from the native organiser.

Former world champion Tan Zhongyi is the top-rated participant within the, adopted by seasoned elite world gamers Koneru Humpy, Anna Muzychuk and Kateryna Lagno.

The 2023 winner, R Vaishali can also be participating.

Held each two years, the FIDE Grand Swiss is held in a classical 11-round Swiss system match.