Road to Candidates

FIDE is pleased to inform that FIDE Presidential Board approved the Qualification system for the 2020 FIDE Candidates Tournament.

A. 1 place – 2018 FIDE World Championship Match, Runner up 
One place is reserved for GM Caruana: the runner-up of the 2018 World Championship Match.   

B. 2 places – 2019 FIDE World Cup 
Two places are reserved for the finalists of the 2019 FIDE World Cup. If GM Carlsen and/or GM Caruana is (are) among the finalists, the reserved place(s) is (are) awarded to the next non-qualifying player(s) of the 2019 FIDE World Cup.   

C. 1 place – 2019 FIDE Grand Swiss Tournament 
One place is reserved for the winner of the 2019 FIDE Grand Swiss Tournament. If the winner also qualifies via Clause A or B, or is GM Carlsen, the reserved place is awarded to the next non-qualifying player in the final standings.   

D. 2 places – 2019 FIDE Grand Prix Series 
Two places are reserved for the players who finish 1st and 2nd in the 2019 FIDE Grand Prix Series. If either one of these players also qualifies via Clauses A, B, or C, and/or is GM Carlsen, the reserved place(s) is (are) awarded to the next non-qualifying player in the final ranking.   

E. 1 place – Highest Average FIDE Rating (Standard Rating Lists, Feb. 2019—Jan. 2020) 
One place is reserved for the player with the highest average FIDE rating. For the purpose of deciding the qualifier, the average ELO rating from the twelve (12) FIDE Standard Rating Lists from February 2019 to January 2020 is used. In the event of a tie, the average is recalculated to the second decimal place. If the averages are still tied, the player with the greatest total number of rated games during the period earns the spot. If that player also qualifies via Clauses A, B, C or D or is GM Carlsen, the reserved place is awarded to the next non-qualifying player (based on the same criteria).   

In order to be eligible via Clause E, players should have 30 standard rated games played within twelve FIDE Standard Rating Lists from February 2019 to January 2020, including at least 18 standard rated games played within six (6) FIDE Standard Rating Lists from August 2019 to January 2020.   

If any of the qualifying players is unable to attend, his place is awarded to the next non-qualifying player (based on Clause E).   

F. 1 place – Player nominated by the Organizer 
The Organizer of the 2020 FIDE Candidates Tournament has the right to nominate a player who meets at least one of the following criteria (provided that he participates in at least two events listed below in b., c. and d.): 
a. The player from the top-10 players by average FIDE rating as per Clause E; 
b. The player placed third in the 2019 FIDE World Cup (if the third player is qualified - then the player placed fourth, but not any further); 
c. The best non-qualifying player from the 2019 FIDE Grand Swiss; 
d. The best non-qualifying player from the 2019 FIDE Grand Prix Series.

Full Regulations will be approved at the FIDE Presidential Board meeting in Astana.