Candidates 2026: Richárd Rapport’s Insights on Chess Titans

Historic Wins and Rising Stars

In December of last year, Gukesh Dommaraju, an 18-year-old prodigy from Chennai, made headlines by defeating China’s Ding Liren to become the youngest World Chess Champion ever. This remarkable victory sent ripples through the global chess community, garnering admiration even from rival players.

Rapport’s Unique Perspective

Among those inspired by Gukesh’s triumph is Hungary’s top player, Richárd Rapport. Having served as Ding’s assistant in the World Championship match, Rapport understands the pressures and dynamics of top-tier chess tournaments, especially as the 2025–26 World Championship cycle intensifies.

The Candidates Tournament Landscape

With the upcoming Candidates Tournament scheduled for March 28 to April 16, 2026, in Cyprus, Rapport discusses the competitive landscape and contrasts it with previous tournaments. In 2022, Jan-Krzysztof Duda, despite being the lowest-seeded player, emerged as a formidable competitor with a rating of 2750. In the current cycle, Javokhir Sindarov enters with a rating of 2726.

Experienced Players and Rising Talents

Rapport emphasizes the strength of seasoned players like Hikaru Nakamura, Fabiano Caruana, and Anish Giri, alongside the younger sensation R Praggnanandhaa. He notes that this blend of experience and youth is crucial in shaping the tournament’s dynamics.

Strategies for Success

According to Rapport, the key to succeeding in round-robin tournaments lies in capitalizing on wins against those struggling the most. He explains, “Very often it comes down to beating the guys who are struggling… that’s usually the key to success.”

Unforeseen Turns in Candidates History

The 2021–22 cycle of the Candidates Tournament was fraught with unexpected events, including Sergey Karjakin’s six-month ban due to ethics violations. This incident allowed Ding Liren to seize an opportunity despite initially lacking the required number of rated games. Remarkably, Ding went from being a mathematical outsider to becoming the champion.

Opportunities for Lower-Seated Players

Rapport believes that lower-seeded players often attract more aggressive play from their opponents, presenting opportunities for unexpected outcomes. He remarks, “People will try more against them, so things can happen.”

R Praggnanandhaa: The Underestimated Contender

Contrary to the common perception of R Praggnanandhaa as inexperienced, Rapport argues that he is far from a novice. “You cannot call him inexperienced… Pragg’s second Candidates comes at roughly the same age, or even younger, than some of these guys.”

Conclusion: The Unpredictable Nature of the Candidates

As the Candidates Tournament approaches, Rapport reminds viewers of its unpredictable nature. While he anticipates seasoned players may dominate, as past events have illustrated, an underdog can swiftly rise to claim the championship. As Cyprus prepares to host a new chapter in chess history, only time will reveal the results.