Praggnanandhaa secures Candidates spot via last-gasp London Classic open win

Key facts

• Praggnanandhaa tied for first place at the London Chess Classic open section with 7/9 points.
• The victory added 8.17 circuit points, taking his FIDE Circuit total to 115.17 and sealing the Candidates berth.
• Nodirbek Abdusattorov, the only rival for the spot, earned 19.62 circuit points from winning the elite invitational section but remains on 71.61 overall, now out of reach.
• The 2026 Open Candidates will be held in Cyprus from March 28 to April 16 alongside the Women’s Candidates.
• Divya Deshmukh, Koneru Humpy and Vaishali Rameshbabu will represent India in the Women’s Candidates.