Chess · Global
Candidates pairings drawn at Cyprus ceremony
The open and women’s Candidates received their playing schedules ahead of the March start.
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FIDE completed the drawing of lots for the open and women’s Candidates tournaments at the Cap St Georges Hotel and Resort in Paphos. The competitions will run from 28 March to 16 April and choose the two world championship challengers.
Chief arbiter Takis Nikolopoulos explained the double round-robin system and how the draw numbers determine the playing schedule. The pairing tables exchange rounds six and seven to prevent any competitor receiving the same colour for three consecutive games.
Players representing the same federation meet early under the event regulations. Consequently, Americans Fabiano Caruana and Hikaru Nakamura were paired for the opening round. FIDE officials, the Cyprus Chess Federation, government representatives and event partners attended the ceremony, which confirmed opponents for targeted preparation.
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