Matthias Bluebaum enters Candidates 2026 without a coach
German Grandmaster Matthias Bluebaum has made history by qualifying for the Candidates Chess 2026 after finishing second at the 2025 FIDE Grand Swiss with 7.5/11 points. His strong performance not only secured him a coveted Candidates spot but also marked a milestone for German chess, as he becomes the first player from the country to reach this stage since Robert Hübner in 1991. Bluebaum, who has steadily climbed the world rankings over the past few years, is now set to compete against the world’s elite for the chance to challenge the reigning World Champion.
After the event, Matthias Bluebaum said, “I don’t have a coach or a second, so I was completely on my own here”. Scroll down for the full interview with Matthias Bluebaum.
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