World Cup Berths Cut in New Candidates Pathway

FIDE has overhauled how players qualify for the Candidates tournaments, and the World Cup now offers fewer spots than before.7 The International Chess Federation announced a new qualification framework for both the Men's and Women's Candidates tournaments.8 A new route through the Total Chess World Championship Tour has been added at the same time.8

The rating qualification pathway has been scrapped entirely.8 FIDE stated the aim is to "enhance connections between FIDE's key events, recognize consistent performances across various competitions, and broaden the range of opportunities for players to qualify."7 These changes were shaped by proposals from the Global Strategy Commission.7

Total Chess Tour: Budapest Hosts the Pilot

Budapest will host the official pilot of the Total Chess World Championship Tour.2 ChessHints described it as "a ground-breaking global championship created by Norway Chess."9

FIDE approved the new format and sees it as the start of a new era in elite chess.9 The pilot in Budapest is the first concrete step in making this tour a reality.2 For players chasing a Candidates spot, this new tour is now a genuine qualification avenue.7

Carlsen Leads July 2026 Ratings After Norway Chess

Magnus Carlsen dropped 18 points in the July 2026 FIDE ratings update but held on to the world number one position.4 Praggnanandhaa won Norway Chess, shaking up the rankings near the top.4 Gukesh moved ahead of some rivals in the updated list.4

FIDE Council Approves 2027 World Cup Format

Beyond the 2028 Candidates changes, FIDE's Council approved a new format for the 2027 World Cup and Women's World Cup.2 That decision adds another layer of structural change to the championship circuit.2 The Council also approved qualification paths specifically for the 2028 Candidates Tournaments.2

Serbia Open Draws 550 Players to Belgrade

The Serbia Open 2026 — described as one of Europe's most established and internationally diverse summer chess festivals — officially opened in Belgrade.5 The Serbia Open 2026 officially opened at the Metropol Palace Hotel, with around 550 players representing 38 national federations taking part.5 FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich attended the opening ceremony alongside the Serbian Minister of Sports.5

The event runs for ten days and draws players from every continent.5 It is organized by the Chess Federation of Serbia under the patronage of the Ministry of Sports of the Republic of Serbia.5 World-class grandmasters compete alongside young talents making their first steps on the international stage.5

Belgian and Dutch Champions Crowned

Recent results have come in from national championships across Europe. Daniel Dardha and Hanne Goossens were crowned Belgian chess champions 2026.2 In the Netherlands, Sergey Tiviakov and Machteld van Foreest claimed the Dutch Championship titles.2

Evgeny Romanov won the Montenegro Open, which also carried the title of Mediterranean Championship.2 These national and regional events feed into the broader FIDE circuit and can help players build their rating and results ahead of bigger qualification events.3

Asian Youth Championships and Senior Worlds

Rapid Champions were crowned at the Asian Youth Chess Championships 2026.2 The FIDE World Senior Chess Championships 2026 has opened registration.2 Both events are part of the wider FIDE calendar that runs alongside the headline championship circuit.3

Girls Chess Festival Expands the Game

A free inaugural Girls Chess Festival brought young players together in the United States.9 The event was detailed by WIM Iris Mou, Lisa Sun, and WIM Kelsey Liu.9 Grassroots events like this one sit alongside the top-level circuit as FIDE pushes its "Chess For All" agenda.3

What to Watch Next

The Budapest pilot of the Total Chess World Championship Tour in November is the most significant event on the near horizon.9 The new Candidates qualification rules for 2028 mean this tour will carry real stakes from the start.7 National federations and top players are already adjusting their schedules around the new structure.8

FIDE's Council has also lifted restrictions on the Belarus Chess Federation, a political development that could affect which players are eligible for international events going forward.2 The Serbia Open continues in Belgrade and will produce results that matter for ratings and seedings.5

If all the action on the world stage has you ready to move some pieces yourself, you can generate a private game code and play online with a friend at Friend Chess.

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