Doha: India’s Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa has officially clinched the top position in the FIDE Circuit 2025, earning a coveted berth at the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026.
The 20-year-old Indian star capped off a phenomenal year with 115.17 Circuit points, showcasing consistency, composure, and world-class competitive strength throughout the season.
His closest rival in contention, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, stands at 71.61 points, and FIDE has confirmed that it is mathematically impossible for him to close the gap.
With this declaration, Praggnanandhaa becomes the latest confirmed participant in the world championship qualification cycle.
This marks Pragg’s second appearance at the Candidates Tournament, and he will be the sole Indian representative in the open category this year.
Meanwhile, India will have a strong presence in the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament, with Divya Deshmukh, Koneru Humpy, and Vaishali Rameshbabu all securing qualification.
Both the Open and Women’s Candidates Tournaments will be held concurrently—following the successful format of 2024—this time in Cyprus, from 28 March to 16 April 2026.
With another historic milestone added to his rising career, Praggnanandhaa continues to cement his position among the elite of global chess.
