In December 2025, Indian Grandmaster (GM) Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa won the International Chess Federation (FIDE) Circuit 2025 with 115.17 points, a year-long series of tournaments held from January to December 2025, securing direct qualification to the Candidates Tournament 2026.

He became the only male player to qualify via the FIDE Circuit and will make his second consecutive appearance at the Candidates Tournament.

Three Indian women GM Divya Deshmukh, Koneru Humpy, and Vaishali Rameshbabu have already qualified for the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament.

About FIDE Circuit 2025:

Overview: The 2025 FIDE Circuit served as a system of top-level tournaments that acted as a qualification path for the Candidates Tournament 2026.

Organiser : International Chess Federation

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