FIDE World Cup Shakes Up 2026 Women's Candidates Race, Only 3 Spot Left
The final three spots at 2026 Women's Candidates will be decided across Grand Swiss and FIDE Women's Events 2024–25 series.
The outcome of the 2025 Women's World Cup has significantly influenced the landscape for the 2026 Women's Candidates tournament.
The competition for the eight spots in the 2026 Women's Candidates is intensifying. Zhu Jiner and Alexandra Goryachkina secured two positions through the Women's Grand Prix, finishing as winner and runner-up respectively. Three additional spots were decided at the recently concluded Women's World Cup in Batumi, Georgia.
Nineteen-year-old Indian talent Divya Deshmukh achieved a remarkable hat-trick in Batumi. Her 1.5–0.5 tiebreak victory over former World No. 2 Humpy Koneru not only earned her the title but also a Grandmaster norm – automatically awarded to the winner – and a spot in the 2026 Candidates, bringing her one step closer to a shot at the world title.
Humpy Koneru and former Women's World Champion Tan Zhongyi also qualified, finishing second and third respectively.
How To Qualify For 2026 Women's Candidates?
With five out of eight places in the Candidates already determined, players have just two more opportunities – the Grand Swiss in September (offering two qualifying spots) and winning the FIDE Women's Events 2024-25 series.
While the Grand Swiss is traditionally the strongest open tournament on the calendar, filtering the elite through its qualification standards, the FIDE Women's Events series operates on a cumulative points system.
What Are The Stadnings For 2024–25 FIDE Women's Events?
The World Cup in Batumi reshuffled the standings in the 2024–25 FIDE Women's Events series. Humpy Koneru now leads comfortably with 224 Ranking Points, more than 70 ahead of Tan Zhongyi in second.
The current top five players in the standings are already qualified for the Candidates. World Champion Ju Wenjun holds sixth place (down from first, which she previously held), as she did not participate in the Women's World Cup. As the defending World Champion, Ju does not need to compete in the Candidates.
The top player still vying for a spot through the series is Anna Muzychuk, currently holding 80 Ranking Points. Despite a strong performance and winning the final leg of the Women's Grand Prix, she ultimately fell short of qualifying through that route.
Trailing Muzychuk are three contenders with between 54.5 and 62 points. Lei Tingjie, winner of the previous (2022–23) Candidates and an unsuccessful title challenger, currently sits eighth with 62 points. Close behind her are veterans Harika Dronavalli (58.5) and Kateryna Lagno (54.5), both within striking distance.
The final three spots in the Candidates will be decided across three key events. Two places will go to the winner and runner-up of the Grand Swiss in September. The last spot will be awarded to the winner of the FIDE Women's Events 2024–25 series, based on Ranking Points earned in the Grand Swiss, the World Rapid, and the World Blitz.
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