Fabiano Caruana Leads Strong Candidates Field in Cyprus, Favored Over Hikaru Nakamura

Entertainment National Sports Markets Business & Economy Lifestyle World Astrology & Religion Technology Education & Jobs Auto Politics Viral Opinions

Loading more articles...

Caruana Leads Candidates Field in Cyprus; Bookies Favor Him Over Nakamura

Fabiano Caruana has the highest odds of winning the 2026 Candidates Tournament despite Hikaru Nakamura being the top-rated among the eight players in action. Image credit: Saint Louis Chess Club

F

Firstpost•15-03-2026, 07:00

Caruana Leads Candidates Field in Cyprus; Bookies Favor Him Over Nakamura

•The 2026 Candidates Tournament will be held from March 28 to April 16 in Pegeia, Cyprus.
•Eight elite Grandmasters will compete for the right to challenge current FIDE World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju.
•Fabiano Caruana (world No. 3) is the top favorite over Hikaru Nakamura (world No. 2) according to bet365 odds.
•Caruana has an implied probability of 38.1% to win, Nakamura 27.8%, and R Praggnanandhaa 16.7%.
•Other qualifiers include Anish Giri, Matthias Bluebaum, Javokhir Sindarov, Wei Yi, and Andrey Esipenko.

Read Full Article on Firstpost in English

✦

More like this

✦

More like this

Boris Gelfand's comment on form being crucial to succeeding at the Candidates comes at a time when R Praggnanandhaa is going through a lean patch. Image credit: Lennart Ootes

Praggnanandhaa's Form Woes: Former Candidates Winner Stresses 'Crucial' Good Form

When Gukesh won the world title in 2024, he became the youngest to achieve the feat. Image: ChessBase/Reuters

Hans Niemann Picks Fabiano Caruana as FIDE Candidates Favorite: 'He's Clearly the Best'

Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa competes at the London Chess Classic in London. Image credit: John Saunders/London Chess Classic

Praggnanandhaa's 'War Cry' for FIDE Candidates 2026: 'Trick Lies in Novelty'

French GM Maxime Vachier-Lagrave has placed R Praggnanandhaa in the third tier while analysing players in action at the upcoming Candidates Tournament. Image credit: Frans Peeters/Lennart Ootes

Praggnanandhaa in 'Third Tier' for Candidates 2026: French GM Vachier-Lagrave

Arjun Erigaisi will be rooting for his close friend R Praggnanandhaa at the FIDE Candidates 2026, but he doesn’t feel he is the favourite. Images: Tata Steel Chess

Arjun Erigaisi's Surprise FIDE Candidates 2026 Pick: Not Hikaru, Not Pragg

While Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana have kept themselves busy ahead of the 2026 Candidates, R Praggnanandhaa has gone in the other direction and taken a break. Image credit: Freestyle Chess/Saint Louis Chess Club/FIDE

Candidates 2026: Top Contenders Prepare for Chess Showdown