Pilot edition of Total Chess World Championship Tour to be held in Budapest

The pilot edition of the FIDE-approved Total Chess World Championship Tour will take place in Budapest, Hungary, from November 10 to 21, 2026.

The tournament combines Fast Classic, Rapid, and Blitz formats, with cumulative scores determining the overall champion.

The tour will serve as a qualification pathway for the Candidates Tournament, with the top two players in the final standings qualifying for the 2028 Candidates.

World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen is among the elite players expected to compete at the Anantara New York Palace Hotel.

The tour is scheduled to launch globally in 2027, with multiple tournaments across host cities culminating in a FIDE World Combined Champion.