Praggnanandhaa Secures 2026 Candidates Spot with Thrilling Victory
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{ "title": "Praggnanandhaa Secures 2026 Candidates Spot with Thrilling Victory", "article": "New Delhi: Indian grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa has solidified his position in the chess world by securing a spot in the highly anticipated 2026 Candidates Tournament. The 20-year-old prodigy from Chennai sealed his place by winning the FIDE Circuit 2025, capping off a remarkable year of consistent performances. Praggnanandhaa's journey to the 2026 Candidates began in May when he took the lead in the FIDE Circuit standings, surpassing China's Ding Liren. Throughout the season, he maintained his position, despite stiff competition from top players like Anish Giri, Fabiano Caruana, and Matthias Bluebaum, who had already secured their spots in the Candidates through other paths. In a last-ditch effort to secure his qualification, Praggnanandhaa entered the London Chess Classic Open, where he scored 7/9 in a strong field, tying for first place and collecting crucial circuit points. This decisive victory placed him out of reach for his nearest rival, Uzbekistan's Nodirbek Abdusattorov, who had been vying for a spot in the Candidates. This will be Praggnanandhaa's second appearance in the Candidates Tournament, following his participation in the 2024 edition won by India's own D Gukesh. Praggnanandhaa's consistency this year has been impressive, with notable wins in the Tata Steel Masters, Superbet Chess Classic Romania, and UzChess Cup Masters, among others. The 2026 Candidates Tournament promises to be an exciting event, with Praggnanandhaa set to face off against the world's top chess players in a bid to qualify for the World Chess Championship match."
