What's the deal with Hikaru playing in the Louisiana championship in order to get into the candidates? Is it a requirement to play a certain # of games & just any ol opponents will do? Didn't Alireza do something similar last cycle? Is that what's going on, Hikaru is copying that plan?
Candidates 2026.
Sort:
Hikaru!
Who do you think will qualify, and win? My money is on
Hikaru
Fabiano
Praggnanandhaa
Arjun
Alireza
Keymer
Bluebaum
Anish
(EDIT: Previously I had Nodiribek and Levon, but as Anish Giri and Matthias Bluebaum have won the Grand Swiss, I have replaced them.)
I think either Hikaru or Fabiano will win, and either one beats Gukesh.
For the Women's, I think...
Zhu
Humpy
Divya
Tan
Goryachkina
Kosteniuk
Vaishali
Lagno
(EDIT: I have replaced Polina with Vaishali, as the latter has won the Grand Swiss)
I think Lei wins, but will not beat Ju.