The Candidates Tournament is one of the most important events in the chess world. It’s the stage where the best players on the planet compete for a chance to challenge the reigning World Chess Champion. Winning this tournament is a dream for any grandmaster, as it is the final step before the ultimate goal—becoming the world champion.
The history of the Candidates Tournament is filled with intense rivalries, legendary games, and moments that have shaped the course of chess history. In this article, we will dive deep into the significance of the Candidates, how it works, its impact on the players, and why it’s considered one of the toughest competitions in chess.
What is the Candidates Tournament?
The Candidates Tournament is held every two years and is the final step in the World Chess Championship cycle. The tournament determines who will face the current World Chess Champion in a championship match.
Players who compete in the Candidates Tournament are some of the strongest grandmasters in the world, and their performance in this event can define their careers.
Winning the Candidates Tournament does not just mean defeating the world’s top players—it’s about proving that you have what it takes to stand on the global stage and challenge for the title of World Champion.
The player who emerges victorious earns the right to face the reigning world champion in a match for the most prestigious title in chess.
A History of Legendary Champions
The Candidates Tournament has produced some of the greatest names in chess history. World champions like Garry Kasparov, Anatoly Karpov, and Magnus Carlsen all came through the Candidates as part of their journey to the chess throne.
Each winner not only had to defeat a field of world-class opponents but also had to withstand the immense psychological pressure that comes with the tournament’s high stakes.
One of the most famous editions was in 1959, when the Candidates Tournament featured chess giants like Mikhail Tal and Bobby Fischer. Tal won the tournament and later went on to defeat Mikhail Botvinnik in the World Championship, cementing his place in chess history as one of the most creative and fearless players of all time.
The Intensity of the Competition
What makes the Candidates Tournament so special is the level of competition. Only the very best players in the world qualify, and they bring their absolute best preparation to this event.
The tournament itself is usually a double round-robin format, meaning each player faces every other competitor twice—once with the white pieces and once with the black pieces.
Because of the stakes, every move, every mistake, and every brilliant idea counts. A single error can cost a player their chance to challenge for the world title.
This creates an atmosphere of intense pressure, where even draws can feel like missed opportunities, and wins are celebrated as major victories.
The Road to the Candidates Tournament
Not just anyone can enter the Candidates Tournament. Only the top players in the world earn a spot, and getting there is a long journey that involves various qualifying events and rankings. The road to the Candidates is tough, and only the most consistent and resilient players make it through.
How Players Qualify
Players qualify for the Candidates Tournament through different pathways. Some qualify by performing well in top tournaments, while others secure their spot by winning events like the FIDE Grand Prix or the Chess World Cup.
Additionally, the player who loses the previous World Championship match is automatically invited, as well as the highest-ranked players in the world who haven’t qualified through other means.
This multi-path qualification ensures that the Candidates features the best and most in-form players. But once they’re in the tournament, rankings and past results don’t matter—the only thing that counts is how well they perform over the course of the tournament.
Mental and Physical Preparation
The Candidates is not just about who knows the most openings or who calculates the best—it’s also a test of endurance. The tournament often lasts several weeks, with players having to stay sharp throughout multiple rounds against world-class opponents.
Mental stamina is key, as one bad game can affect confidence and momentum.
Most players spend months preparing for the Candidates. They analyze their potential opponents’ games, study new opening ideas, and work closely with their teams to be as ready as possible.
The level of preparation required is immense because every competitor knows that one mistake can ruin their chances.
The Format of the Candidates Tournament
The Candidates Tournament follows a double round-robin format, where each player faces every other participant twice—once with the white pieces and once with black. This structure ensures fairness and provides each competitor with two chances to test their skills against every opponent.
The Importance of the Double Round-Robin Format
In chess, playing with white is considered an advantage because the player who moves first has the chance to dictate the flow of the game. The double round-robin format balances this by giving each player an equal number of games with both colors against every opponent.
This structure ensures that no player can rely solely on having the advantage of the white pieces.
The double round-robin also adds a layer of complexity to the tournament. Players often learn from their first game against an opponent and use that knowledge to adjust their strategies in the second encounter.
This makes the second half of the tournament just as intense and important as the first.
Points and Tiebreaks
In the Candidates, a win earns a player one point, a draw gives half a point to both players, and a loss results in zero points. Since the stakes are incredibly high, players must balance the need to win with the risk of losing.
Playing too aggressively can lead to mistakes, but playing too cautiously might result in too many draws, which can harm a player’s chances of winning the tournament.
If two or more players finish with the same number of points, the tournament uses tiebreak rules to decide the winner. These tiebreaks typically include factors such as head-to-head results, the number of wins, and performance against the strongest opponents.
The Psychological Pressure of the Candidates Tournament
The Candidates Tournament is as much a mental battle as it is a chess competition. The psychological pressure in this event is immense.
Players know that their entire career may be defined by their performance, as the winner goes on to challenge for the World Chess Championship—the highest honor in the game.
The Weight of Expectations
For many players, qualifying for the Candidates alone is a monumental achievement. However, once they arrive, the stakes immediately become clear.
The expectation to perform at the highest level adds enormous pressure. Every game matters, and one mistake can change the course of the entire tournament.
Many players have experienced the strain of knowing that their every move is being analyzed by fans, coaches, and fellow grandmasters. The fear of failure and the desire to win create a mental tightrope that players must walk carefully.
Even top-rated players can struggle under the weight of these expectations, which can lead to uncharacteristic mistakes.
Resilience in the Face of Adversity
Unlike other tournaments, the Candidates is a long, grueling competition that tests more than just chess ability. Players must remain mentally resilient throughout weeks of high-level play.
If they lose a game, they must quickly recover and move on to the next round, as dwelling on mistakes can lead to further losses.
The emotional ups and downs are intense. A player who starts strong may feel unbeatable, but one bad game can send them spiraling. Likewise, a player who starts poorly may find it difficult to stay motivated.
Only the most mentally tough players can bounce back from adversity and remain focused throughout the event.
Memorable Moments in Candidates History
The Candidates Tournament has produced some of the most dramatic and unforgettable moments in chess history. Every edition of the tournament is filled with thrilling games, intense rivalries, and unexpected twists that leave a lasting mark on the chess world.
These moments not only define the tournament but also shape the legacy of the players involved.
Bobby Fischer’s Dominance in 1971
One of the most iconic performances in Candidates history came from Bobby Fischer in 1971. Fischer’s run through the Candidates matches was nothing short of extraordinary.
He won the Interzonal tournament to qualify for the Candidates and then went on to crush every opponent in the Candidates matches, defeating Mark Taimanov, Bent Larsen, and Tigran Petrosian, all by overwhelming margins.
Fischer’s victories were so dominant that he won 12 games in a row during the Candidates, which remains one of the most remarkable feats in chess history.
His crushing performance in 1971 earned him the right to challenge Boris Spassky for the World Chess Championship, a match he would famously win, becoming the first American world champion and cementing his legacy as one of the greatest chess players of all time.
The Tal-Botvinnik Duel of 1959
Mikhail Tal’s rise to chess stardom is another unforgettable chapter in the Candidates Tournament. In 1959, the tournament featured several legendary players, but it was Tal’s sharp, attacking style that stole the show.
Known as “The Magician from Riga,” Tal played with creativity and boldness, often sacrificing material for long-term positional or tactical advantages.
Tal’s victory in the 1959 Candidates earned him a match against the reigning world champion, Mikhail Botvinnik. Tal’s fearless play continued in the championship match, where he defeated Botvinnik to become the youngest-ever World Chess Champion at the time.
His daring approach and unique style of play still inspire players today, and his performance in the Candidates remains a standout moment in chess history.
The 2013 Candidates: Magnus Carlsen vs. Kramnik
The 2013 Candidates Tournament is often remembered for its nail-biting finish, where Magnus Carlsen and Vladimir Kramnik battled it out for the top spot. Both players were tied for first going into the final round, and it all came down to their last games.
Kramnik, the former world champion, was in incredible form and seemed poised to win the tournament, but fate had other plans.
In a dramatic turn of events, Kramnik drew his final game against Vassily Ivanchuk, while Carlsen also managed only a draw against Peter Svidler. Due to the tournament’s tiebreak system, Carlsen edged out Kramnik because he had more wins overall.
This victory sent Carlsen to the World Chess Championship, where he dethroned Viswanathan Anand and began his reign as world champion—a title he has held ever since.
The Path to Chess Immortality
Winning the Candidates Tournament is a monumental achievement, but for the victor, it’s just the beginning of an even greater challenge—the World Chess Championship. The winner of the Candidates earns the right to challenge the reigning world champion, which is a prize every chess player dreams of But that also means the pressure only intensifies.
Facing the World Champion
Once the Candidates Tournament is over, the winner must quickly prepare to face the current world champion, often considered one of the most difficult matches in all of sports. This match is played over a series of games, often between 12 to 14 games, where both players battle in a grueling test of endurance, strategy, and nerves.
Historically, facing the world champion has proven to be one of the hardest tasks in chess. The reigning champion usually has years of experience at the highest level and is accustomed to the intense mental and physical demands of defending the title.
However, the Candidates winner is often at their peak form, having just emerged victorious from one of the toughest tournaments in the chess world.
Preparing for the World Championship
Once the Candidates winner secures their spot, the preparation for the World Chess Championship match begins. This preparation phase is intense.
The challenger typically spends months, sometimes even a year, working with a team of seconds (assistants) to study the reigning champion’s games, analyze their strengths and weaknesses, and develop a strategy to dethrone them.
Challengers often bring innovative opening ideas to surprise the champion, aiming to get an early edge. The preparation also involves mental conditioning, as the championship match is a battle of endurance, with some games lasting upwards of six or seven hours.
Maintaining focus and stamina throughout the championship match is key, as even a single mistake can shift the momentum in such a high-stakes environment.
Changing the Course of Chess History
The winner of the World Championship match doesn’t just claim the title—they become a part of chess history. Champions like Bobby Fischer, Garry Kasparov, and Magnus Carlsen have all shaped the trajectory of chess through their victories, and the Candidates Tournament is the gateway to that legacy.
For the winner of the Candidates, the title match is their chance to etch their name alongside the greatest players in history.
But the match itself also has a lasting impact on the world of chess. Each championship match brings new ideas, new strategies, and new approaches that influence how the game is played at all levels.
Fans and players alike watch these matches closely, studying the games for insights and inspiration that can elevate their own play.
The Role of the Candidates in Shaping Modern Chess
The Candidates Tournament is not just a competition for the strongest grandmasters—it plays a crucial role in shaping modern chess itself. The games played here often set the trends for future tournaments, influencing opening theory, strategic ideas, and even the psychology of top-level chess.
The intense preparation and high stakes make it a proving ground for new concepts and approaches to the game.
Advancing Opening Theory
One of the most exciting aspects of the Candidates Tournament is how it pushes forward opening theory. Since the players know they are facing the best of the best, their preparation is incredibly deep.
Grandmasters and their teams spend months preparing new lines, researching lesser-known ideas, and finding novelties (new moves) that can give them an advantage over their opponents.
These novelties often make their debut in the Candidates, where every player is looking for the slightest edge. The opening phase of the game is critical, especially at such a high level, because it can dictate the course of the entire match.
If one player is caught unprepared in the opening, they may be forced into a defensive position right from the start, giving their opponent the upper hand.
For example, during the 2018 Candidates Tournament, several players experimented with the popular Ruy Lopez opening. New ideas were introduced in the Berlin Defense—a line that is frequently used at the highest level—and these novelties later influenced opening choices in many tournaments that followed.
The Candidates often sets the tone for future world championship matches, as players study these games to prepare their own strategies.
The Evolution of Chess Strategy
Beyond the opening phase, the Candidates Tournament is a showcase of the highest level of chess strategy. Players are not just looking for short-term tactics—they are crafting deep, long-term plans that span multiple moves.
Watching how these grandmasters balance positional understanding, material imbalances, and initiative provides valuable lessons to players of all levels.
The Candidates often produces games that are heavily analyzed and studied by chess enthusiasts, teachers, and even professional players. For example, the tournament can introduce new ways to approach middlegame structures, pawn breaks, and king safety.
These subtle shifts in chess strategy often filter down to club-level players, who try to incorporate the ideas into their own games.
One great example of strategic evolution came from the 2014 Candidates Tournament, where Vishy Anand demonstrated brilliant endgame technique, showing how small advantages can be converted into full points.
His games during that tournament became the subject of much study, particularly his positional play and endgame mastery, which have inspired countless players since.
Psychological Warfare at the Highest Level
The Candidates Tournament is not just a chess competition—it’s also a psychological battleground. With so much at stake, the mental aspect of the game becomes incredibly important. Players must balance confidence with caution, aggression with patience, and resilience with focus.
The pressure to perform is immense because every participant knows that a loss could destroy their chances of winning the tournament.
Mind games between competitors are also common. For example, some players might choose offbeat or provocative opening moves to unsettle their opponent early in the game. Others may purposely offer draws to test their opponent’s confidence or willingness to take risks.
This psychological element adds another layer of complexity to an already demanding tournament.
One of the most famous examples of psychological tension in the Candidates came during the 1983 Candidates Matches between Garry Kasparov and Viktor Korchnoi. Kasparov, the young up-and-coming player, was facing the veteran Korchnoi.
The match was intense, and both players used various psychological tactics to unsettle the other. Kasparov’s eventual victory over Korchnoi gave him the momentum he needed to later challenge and dethrone Anatoly Karpov in the World Chess Championship.
The Candidates Tournament and Its Impact on Chess Careers
The Candidates Tournament can be a career-defining moment for any chess player. For those who win, it offers a direct path to challenge the reigning world champion. But even for those who don’t win, simply qualifying and competing in the tournament can elevate their careers to new heights.
The pressure, the competition, and the intense scrutiny push players to perform at their absolute best.
A Career Milestone
For any chess player, just participating in the Candidates is a tremendous achievement. The tournament is exclusive, with only a handful of the world’s top grandmasters qualifying.
Earning a spot in the Candidates is a sign that a player has reached the pinnacle of professional chess. It signifies that they have risen above thousands of other competitors and are now one step away from the ultimate goal—the World Chess Championship.
For many players, qualifying for the Candidates can open doors to sponsorships, invitations to elite tournaments, and greater media attention. Their performance in this event often determines their standing in the chess world and influences how they are viewed by their peers and fans alike.
Even for those who do not win the tournament, strong performances can have lasting effects on their careers. For example, players like Teimour Radjabov and Ian Nepomniachtchi have enhanced their reputations by consistently competing at a high level in the Candidates.
Their participation in this elite event has helped solidify their places as top-tier grandmasters.
Breakthroughs for Rising Stars
The Candidates Tournament also serves as a stage where rising stars can make their breakthrough. While experienced veterans may be the favorites, younger players often use the tournament to announce their arrival at the highest level of chess. In some cases, these emerging talents have even gone on to win the tournament, signaling the start of a new era.
A prime example of this is when a young Magnus Carlsen won the 2013 Candidates Tournament. Though he was already a rising star, his victory in the Candidates firmly established him as the next great player in chess.
Carlsen’s triumph set the stage for his World Chess Championship match against Viswanathan Anand later that year, where he won the title and began his reign as world champion.
The Candidates also gives young players a chance to test their skills against the best in the world, which can be an invaluable learning experience. These matches provide insights into how top players think and prepare, helping young players refine their own games and strategies for the future.
Lessons from Defeat
While winning the Candidates Tournament is the ultimate goal, defeat in the tournament can be equally instructive for players. Competing at this level forces players to confront their weaknesses and adapt their style of play.
Even seasoned grandmasters who have been at the top of their game for years can find areas where they need to improve after going through the intense challenge of the Candidates.
For example, former world champion Vladimir Kramnik, despite his illustrious career, faced disappointment in the 2013 Candidates, where he narrowly lost out to Magnus Carlsen.
Kramnik’s experience showed how even the best players in the world can be challenged in unexpected ways. However, this loss did not mark the end of Kramnik’s career—he went on to make adjustments in his play, learning from the defeat and continuing to compete at the highest level for several more years.
Defeat in the Candidates is often a turning point in a player’s career. It’s a moment for reflection, recalibration, and growth.
Many players have used their experience in the tournament as motivation to come back stronger, using the lessons learned to refine their strategies and improve their overall game.
The Evolution of the Candidates Tournament
The Candidates Tournament, as we know it today, has gone through several transformations throughout its history. From changes in format to adjustments in the qualification process, the tournament has evolved to reflect the changing nature of professional chess.
Each change has made the tournament more competitive, more dynamic, and, in some cases, more accessible to a global pool of top players.
Early Days: Match-Based Format
The earliest version of the Candidates Tournament had a different structure than the one we are familiar with today. In the beginning, it was organized as a series of one-on-one knockout matches rather than a round-robin tournament.
Players would face off in long matches of 10 to 12 games, with the winner advancing to the next round. This match-based format closely resembled the knockout structure used in today’s World Chess Cup.
One of the most famous examples of this format was Bobby Fischer’s remarkable performance in 1971, where he won three consecutive matches (against Taimanov, Larsen, and Petrosian) by overwhelming margins.
Fischer’s victory in the Candidates match catapulted him to the World Championship, where he famously defeated Boris Spassky in 1972. Fischer’s domination during the Candidates tournament under this match-based format remains one of the most remarkable performances in chess history.
While this format allowed for deep, intense battles between individual players, it was later replaced with the round-robin format to create a more inclusive and less time-consuming structure.
The Shift to Round-Robin Tournaments
In 1950, FIDE, the international chess federation, made a major change to the structure of the Candidates Tournament by switching to the round-robin format. This format allowed all the participants to compete against each other, ensuring that every player had to face a variety of opponents rather than just one match opponent at a time.
This shift increased the complexity of the tournament. Players could no longer focus on just one opponent at a time; they now had to prepare for multiple opponents, each with different playing styles, strengths, and weaknesses.
The round-robin format also demanded a higher level of consistency—players couldn’t afford to slip in one game, as every point mattered in the final standings.
The new format led to the development of some of the most exciting and closely contested tournaments in chess history. The 1959 Candidates Tournament, for example, saw future world champion Mikhail Tal use his daring, attacking style to secure victories against some of the world’s best players.
The round-robin format allowed Tal to shine by giving him more opportunities to demonstrate his creativity against a variety of opponents.
The Introduction of Tiebreaks and Super-Tournaments
One of the challenges with the round-robin format is that players sometimes finish with the same score. To address this, FIDE introduced a series of tiebreak rules to determine a winner.
These tiebreaks often take into account factors like head-to-head results, the number of wins, and performance against the strongest opponents. In some cases, playoff matches or even rapid and blitz tiebreaks are used to settle the score, adding another layer of excitement to the tournament.
In recent years, the Candidates has adopted more of a “super-tournament” format, with the inclusion of rapid tiebreaks if necessary. The 2013 Candidates Tournament, which saw Magnus Carlsen edge out Vladimir Kramnik based on tiebreaks, showed just how crucial these new rules can be.
Carlsen’s eventual victory, based on the tiebreak system, sent him to his first World Championship match and changed the landscape of modern chess.
The Modern Candidates Tournament
Today, the Candidates Tournament is a blend of its rich history and modern innovation. It continues to be held in the double round-robin format, where each player faces every other competitor twice.
This ensures that the best player over the course of the entire tournament emerges as the winner. However, modern technology, advanced preparation techniques, and faster communication have brought new dynamics to the event.
Players now rely heavily on chess engines like Stockfish or AlphaZero to prepare their opening repertoires, diving deeper into opening theory than ever before. Additionally, psychological preparation has become an integral part of a player’s strategy.
The pressure of competing in front of millions of fans who follow every move online adds an extra layer of mental stress that past generations didn’t have to deal with.
While chess has evolved over time, the essence of the Candidates Tournament remains the same—it is still the ultimate battleground for the world’s top players, and winning it is a stepping stone to chess immortality.
Final Thoughts on the Candidates Tournament
The Candidates Tournament remains one of the most thrilling and prestigious events in the world of chess. It is the ultimate test of skill, endurance, and mental toughness, with every participant fighting for a chance to challenge for the World Chess Championship.
For chess players and fans alike, it is a source of excitement, drama, and inspiration.
The Gateway to Greatness
The Candidates Tournament is the final hurdle on the road to becoming a world champion. For those who dream of joining the ranks of legends like Garry Kasparov, Bobby Fischer, and Magnus Carlsen, it is the most important tournament they will ever play.
Winning it requires not only technical mastery but also nerves of steel and the ability to thrive under pressure.
A Showcase of the Best in Chess
This tournament brings together the world’s top grandmasters, ensuring that the competition is of the highest caliber. The double round-robin format means that no player can avoid their toughest competitors, and every game is a high-stakes battle.
Each edition of the Candidates produces games that are analyzed, studied, and celebrated for years to come.
Learning from the Legends
For aspiring players, following the Candidates Tournament offers a unique opportunity to learn from the very best. The strategies, tactics, and opening ideas on display provide valuable lessons that can be applied at any level of play.
Whether you’re studying how top players handle difficult positions or how they prepare mentally for such a grueling event, the tournament is an invaluable educational resource.
The Psychological Battle
The mental strain of competing in the Candidates cannot be overstated. With so much at stake, players face enormous pressure, and how they manage their emotions and mindset can determine their success.
The tournament teaches us that chess is not just about moves on a board—it’s also about resilience, focus, and the ability to bounce back from adversity.
A Constant Source of Innovation
With the best players in the world competing and preparing for months in advance, the Candidates Tournament is often the birthplace of new opening ideas, strategies, and tactical innovations.
These innovations trickle down into the broader chess world, influencing how the game is played at all levels. Every edition of the Candidates moves the game forward, adding new layers of complexity and creativity to the sport.
The Ultimate Chess Battleground
The Candidates Tournament is not just a competition—it’s a defining event in the history of chess. For those who win, it marks the beginning of their journey toward a world championship title. For fans, it’s a chance to witness history in the making.
The tournament embodies everything that makes chess beautiful: strategy, psychology, drama, and the pursuit of excellence.
Wrapping it up
The Candidates Tournament is one of the most important and prestigious events in chess, standing as the final hurdle between a grandmaster and a shot at the World Chess Championship. Its rich history, filled with legendary performances and unforgettable moments, makes it a tournament that defines chess greatness.
From its intense format to the psychological battles between top players, the Candidates is a showcase of the very best in chess. It’s where rising stars make their breakthroughs, seasoned veterans fight for one more chance at glory, and the finest minds in chess push the boundaries of strategy and creativity.
For fans and players alike, following the Candidates Tournament offers a front-row seat to chess history. Every move is analyzed, every game is dissected, and every result has the potential to change the course of the chess world.
At Global School of Chess, we encourage you to dive deeper into these elite competitions, study the games, and learn from the best. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your skills, learn new strategies, or simply enjoy the thrill of top-level chess, we are here to help you on your journey to chess excellence.
Thank you for reading! If you want to explore more about the world of elite chess or improve your own game, visit us at Global School of Chess. Let’s begin your path to chess greatness together!
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