Fide does away with rating spot for Candidates 2028

FIDE removed the rating spot and World Cup third-place qualification route from the 2028 Candidates Tournament.

A new qualification route through the Total Chess World Championship Tour was introduced.

The top two players in the Tour's final standings will directly qualify for the Candidates.

The Tour, created by Norway Chess with Magnus Carlsen as its flagbearer, combines classical, rapid, and blitz formats.

Four of the eight Candidates spots will be decided through faster time controls.