The recently concluded Grand Swiss in Samarkand has significantly reshaped the standings.
Despite earning no circuit points in Samarkand, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu of India preserved his dominant position in the FIDE Circuit 2025 standings. Crucially, his two main competitors—Grand Swiss champion Anish Giri and and runner-up Matthias Bluebaum—qualified for the 2026 Candidates Tournament through this event and are therefore no longer in the circuit race.
As a result, the young Indian’s closest rival is now Vincent Keymer. The German GM gained 16.79 points in Samarkand and climbed to fourth position, but he still trails the leader by 51 points. Notably, Keymer has played just three tournaments counting toward the FIDE Circuit 2025, but there are few point-heavy events remaining in the next three months.
The same applies to Nodirbek Abdusattorov (currently fifth, with four tournaments), as well as Magnus Carlsen and Chithambaram Aravindh, who have played only two events each.
In summary, Praggnanandhaa’s lead looks virtually insurmountable. Even a brilliant performance in the remaining events by one of his competitors is unlikely to prevent him from qualifying for the 2026 Candidates via the FIDE Circuit 2025.
The situation in the Women’s Events 2024-2025, however, is far more intriguing.
Following the triumphs of Vaishali R and Kateryna Lagno in the Women’s Grand Swiss, all seven leading players in the Women’s Events race have qualified for the Women’s Candidates via various paths. The eighth and final spot in the competition—which will determine the challenger for the women’s world title—is still up for grabs.
Currently leading the battle for that last berth is Bibisara Assaubayeva (99.4), who earned 60 points for her third-place finish in Samarkand and now sits eighth, just behind the already-qualified players.
Chasing her are Song Yuxin (who tied for third place in Samarkand), Anna Muzychuk (both on 80 points), the winner of the 2022–23 Women’s Candidates Lei Tingjie (62 points), and the experienced Harika Dronavalli (58.5). Young Afruza Khamdamova, former Women’s World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk (both on 38.5), Mariya Muzychuk (26.40), Nana Dzagnidze (25), Ulviyya Fataliyeva (20), and Irina Krush (20) also have a shot. With the large number of points available at the upcoming Women’s Rapid and Blitz Championships, all remain mathematically in the race.
Each of these contenders faces the formidable challenge of outperforming the rest in the season’s final events to secure the last coveted spot in the Women’s Candidates 2026.
