Nakamura Wins Louisiana State Championship to Boost Candidates Bid

World No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura scored a perfect 7/7 at the 2025 Louisiana State Championship to notch six of the 22 classical games he needs, along with a rating bump, to qualify for the 2026 Candidates Tournament.

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Here in this position Bluebaum (msb2) played a very tricky move (Nxg3 to capture white's pawn). This move was the only move to hold the draw.

The final round of the Grand Swiss is pure cinema. Firouzja, Keymar, Giri, Niemann and Bluebaum fighting for the top two spots and a ticket to the candidates.

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Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky has shockingly passed away, leaving the chess world in a deep shock and sorrow.

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In the interview with Magnus Carlsen, Danny Rensch accidentally revealed his baby's name. That was a very awkward moment!

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Esipenko blundered his rook and lost to Wei Yi.
Sindarov won his match against Yakubboev.
So, both Wei Yi and Sindarov are going to play in the final round of the world cup and in the candidates.

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Now we have a complete list of players who are qualified to play in the candidates.

This tournament will take place in Cyprus and starts from 28 March 2026.

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Javoher Sindarov won the Candidates with a round to spare and qualified as a challenger in the world chess championship. He will play against Gukesh in a 14-round match.

The date and the host city are yet to be decided.

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Bro was literally waiting for @Stockfish

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GM Magnus Carlsen won the 2026 TePe Sigeman Chess Tournament after grinding out a trademark classical win over GM Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus and then beating GM Arjun Erigaisi 2-1 in the blitz tiebreaks.

After this tournament, Carlsen added 1.4 points to his rating, bringing his live rating to 2841.4.

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