Kateryna Lagno qualifies for Women Candidates 2026
Kateryna Lagno has secured her spot in the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament by drawing her final-round game against Ulviyya Fataliyeva in the Women’s Grand Swiss tournament on September 15, 2025. This result ensures her qualification alongside already confirmed participants Zhu Jiner, Aleksandra Goryachkina, Divya Deshmukh, Koneru Humpy, and Zhongyi Tan. Kateryna Lagno took the sole lead in round 8 and with the final round draw took one of the two available spots from the event, completing her consistent performance throughout the competition.
Lagno’s qualification marks her return to the Candidates cycle, where she has impressively participated in all four editions since the tournament’s revival in 2019, demonstrating her status as one of the world’s top female players.
More: Candidates Chess 2026 / Women Candidates 2026