General information about the forthcoming 2024 FIDE Candidates and Women’s Candidates Chess Tournaments in Toronto
Toronto is poised to make chess history as it hosts the 2024 FIDE Candidates from April 3-23, where the challenger for the title of world champion will be determined in both the Open and the Women’s categories.
It will be a double first for chess: the first time the Candidates are held in North America and the first time that both the Open and the Women’s Candidates tournaments take place together.
This event, featuring 16 top-world players (eight in the open and eight in the Women’s category), has a combined prize fund of 750,000 euros, with 500,000 allocated for the Open and 250,000 for the Women’s event.
The event continues a long-term collaboration initiated in 2022 under the patronage of the Scheinberg family, demonstrating their commitment to supporting the growth of chess on the global stage.
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General information:
Toronto’s historic Great Hall (located at 1087 Queen St W, Toronto, ON M6J 1H3) will serve as the battleground for the elite players, engaging in a double round-robin tournament spanning 14 rounds. Spectators will be able to witness the intensity of the matches firsthand and experience the thrill of seeing top world players in person.
Participants:
Open Candidates*:
Ian Nepomniachtchi, 2023 Match Runner-up
R Praggnanandhaa, 2023 World Cup 2nd
Fabiano Caruana, 2023 World Cup 3rd
Nijat Abasov, 2023 World Cup 4th
Vidit Santosh Gujrathi, 2023 Grand Swiss winner
Hikaru Nakamura, 2023 Grand Swiss 2nd
Alireza Firouzja, Best by Rating
Gukesh D 2023 FIDE Circuit Winner
*Magnus Carlsen, who qualified for the Candidates by winning the 2023 World Cup, earlier informed FIDE that he will not be taking part in the event. As per FIDE Candidates qualification paths, Nijat Abasov, who finished 4th in the World Cup, took his place.
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Women’s Candidates:
Lei Tingjie, 2023 Match Runner-up
Kateryna Lagno, 2022-23 WGP 1st
Aleksandra Goryachkina, 2022-23 WGP 2nd
Nurgyul Salimova, 2023 World Cup 2nd
Anna Muzychuk, 2023 World Cup 3rd
Vaishali Rameshbabu, 2023 Grand Swiss 1st
Tan Zhongyi, 2023 Grand Swiss 2nd
Humpy Koneru, Best by Rating (World Cup spot replacement)
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Drawing of Pairings and Colors:
The drawing of pairings and colors will be conducted by the Chief Arbiter, in coordination with the FIDE COO, no later than four weeks before the start of the Candidates Tournament.
Players from the same federation shall play each other in rounds 1 and 8 (if only two) and in rounds 1, 2, 3 and 8, 9, 10 if there are up to three players from the same federation.
Withdrawals after completing 50% or more of games will result in the remaining games being declared as lost by default. For withdrawals before this threshold, all results will be annulled.
The dress code is strictly observed for the tournament and all the official events and press-conferences. Men are required to wear a neat shirt and formal suit, while women players should wear a neat shirt/blouse and formal suit (with slacks or skirt) or dress. Any requests to wear national or traditional dress shall be approved by the FIDE Technical Delegate.
Open Candidates Tournament Information:
Time control: 120 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment per move starting from move 41.
Prizes: 48,000 euros for the winner, 36,000 euros for the second place, and 24,000 euros for the third place. Additionally, players receive 3,500 euros for every half-point scored.
Women’s Candidates Tournament Information:
Time control: 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with a 30-second increment per move starting from move 1.
Prizes: 24,000 euros for the winner, 18,000 euros for the second place, and 12,000 euros for the third place. Additionally, players receive 1,750 euros for every half-point scored
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Preparations for the event:
Tournament Director, Grandmaster Pavel Tregubov, who is also the Secretary of FIDE’s Global Strategy Commission, said that everything is going to plan so far with the organization of the event.
“We are thrilled to host the 2024 FIDE Candidates and Women’s Candidates tournaments in Toronto, uniting the global chess community in a groundbreaking event,” said Tregubov.
“The simultaneous staging of these prestigious tournaments is a testament to the international appeal and growth of chess. We are grateful for the ongoing support of the Scheinberg family, whose dedication continues to elevate the sport,” Tregubov added.
