I've spent over 20 years inside the betting industry. I'll guide you to avoid the hype, ignore the noise, and steer clear of the common pitfalls that catch out everyday punters.
- Fabiano Caruana is the 5/2 favourite to win the 2026 Chess Candidates Tournament and challenge Gukesh Dommaraju.
- Hikaru Nakamura and Javokhir Sindarov are also well-fancied, both inside 5/1 in the market.
- The tournament will be held in Cyprus from March 28 to April 16, using the double round-robin format.
Caruana Leads Betting Ahead of Nakamura
The road to the World Chess Championship 2026 is set to begin this spring with the FIDE Candidates Tournament and betting sites are already pricing up the eight-player field.
Hosted at the stunning Cap St Georges Hotel and Resort in Pegeia, Cyprus, from 28 March to 16 April, the Candidates will determine who faces reigning World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju later in the year.
The format remains the same: a double round-robin tournament, with each player facing every other player twice, once with white and once with black.
As always, it promises tactical brilliance, opening theory masterclasses, and endgame tension.
Caruana Heads Market After FIDE Circuit Success
Fabiano Caruana enters as the betting favourite at 5/2, having secured qualification via the 2024 FIDE Circuit and maintaining a strong #3 world ranking (2795).
The American grandmaster, a former title challenger in 2018, has been consistent in elite-level play and is seen by bookmakers as the man most likely to threaten Gukesh later this year.
Hikaru Nakamura is next in the betting at 10/3, thanks to a world #2 rating (2810) and qualifying via the average rating route.
His rise in form, particularly in classical formats, makes him a serious contender.
Javokhir Sindarov, the surprise 2025 World Cup winner, is priced at 9/2, and although just 20 years old, the Uzbek GM has impressed with a dynamic and confident playing style that many believe could cause chaos in a Candidates format.
What the expert says...
Praggnanandhaa and Giri Round Out Top Contenders
India’s prodigy Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa (Pragg) enters the tournament off the back of winning the 2025 FIDE Circuit.
Priced at 5/1, he is already a household name in chess circles and could thrive in this elite setting.
Veteran Dutch player Anish Giri, always a tough opponent with extensive experience in Candidates tournaments, is listed at 6/1, and could provide value for those backing experience over youth.
Who Qualified for the 2026 Candidates?
| Qualification Method | Player | Country | Age | Rating | World Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 FIDE Circuit Winner | Fabiano Caruana | USA | 33 | 2795 | #3 |
| Highest Avg. Rating (Aug 2025 – Jan 2026) | Hikaru Nakamura | USA | 38 | 2810 | #2 |
| 2025 FIDE World Cup – Winner | Javokhir Sindarov | Uzbekistan | 20 | 2726 | #21 |
| 2025 FIDE World Cup – Runner-Up | Wei Yi | China | 26 | 2754 | #10 |
| 2025 FIDE World Cup – 3rd Place | Andrey Esipenko | FIDE (Russia) | 23 | 2698 | #34 |
| 2025 FIDE Circuit Winner | R Praggnanandhaa | India | 20 | 2758 | #8 |
| 2025 Grand Swiss – Winner | Anish Giri | Netherlands | 31 | 2760 | #6 |
| 2025 Grand Swiss – Runner-Up | Matthias Blübaum | Germany | 28 | 2679 | #43 |
Where To Bet on the 2026 Candidates Tournament
You can find the latest odds and offers on the best betting sites, including markets on the World Chess Championship, with free bets and bonuses available to new users.
For broader coverage of chess betting, see our best chess betting sites guide.
What’s at Stake?
The winner of this prestigious event earns the right to face reigning World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju in the 2026 World Chess Championship.
Gukesh, the youngest-ever World Champion, will await a formidable challenger and this Candidates field is packed with tactical brilliance and rising stars.
