The Prospects Of Anish Giri, Chess Candidates 2026
Anish Giri: The Global Journey to Cyprus
If chess were a passport, Anish Giri would have the most stamped one in the 2026 Candidates field. His father is from Nepal. His mother is Russian. His grandmother is from India. He was born in St Petersburg, started chess in Japan, and has represented the Netherlands since 2008. He watches Indian movies, loves Indian food, and can hum Bollywood tunes. He speaks Russian, English, Dutch, and has a working knowledge of Japanese, Nepalese, and German. Now, at 31, he stands in Cyprus, hoping to add the most prestigious stamp of all: the right to challenge for the world championship.
Giri learned chess at six. At 14 years and seven months, he became a grandmaster – the youngest in the world at that time. In 2010, he joined Viswanathan Anand’s team for the World Championship match against Veselin Topalov, an experience that deepened his connection to Indian chess. At his debut in the Tata Steel Masters in 2011, he shocked the world by beating Magnus Carlsen with the black pieces in just 22 moves.
By 2015, he crossed 2800 on the live rating list – a mark only a handful have ever touched. Yet for years, the chess world wondered: when would Anish Giri finally turn his immense talent into tournament victories on the biggest stage?
— Anish Giri
At the 2016 Candidates Tournament in Moscow, Giri achieved something no one had done before – and something no one wants to repeat. He drew all fourteen games. He left the tournament undefeated, but finished fifth. The performance earned him the unwanted nickname “Draw‑nish” and cemented a reputation that took years to shake.
Yet, in retrospect, that tournament taught him a crucial lesson: in the Candidates, draws are currency, but wins are gold. He returned in 2020 with a more aggressive mindset, finishing third – his best result yet. Now, after missing the 2022 and 2024 editions, he is back in Cyprus with a completely transformed game.
Giri’s resurgence began with the 2023 Tata Steel Masters, which he won outright – the first Dutch winner since Jan Timman in 1985. His confidence soared. In 2025, he won the FIDE Grand Swiss in the Isle of Man, a 114‑player Swiss where his stamina and nerves proved decisive. The victory secured his place in the Candidates, and the chess world took notice: this was not the same Giri who drew all fourteen games a decade ago.
Since January 2025, Giri has gained 22 rating points against 2700+ opponents – a statistic only bettered by Javokhir Sindarov and Matthias Blübaum among the Candidates field. He has shown a willingness to take risks, to push for wins in positions where he once would have settled.
— GM Anish Giri’s coach, Vladimir Tukmakov
Giri is also one of the most entertaining personalities in chess. His Twitter (X) account is a mix of sharp chess analysis, self‑deprecating humour, and occasional jabs at FIDE. When the Candidates’ Cyprus venue faced security concerns, Giri cheekily posted that FIDE had “finally” released a FAQ on the situation – a dig at the federation’s slow communication. He has a large following, and his interviews often go viral for his candid observations.
But beneath the humour lies a fierce competitor. In 2025, he posted a 9½/11 score in the Grand Swiss, the highest of any qualifier. His opening preparation has always been legendary; now his endgame technique and tactical sharpness have caught up.
| Year | Location | Points | Place | Wins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Moscow | 7/14 | 5th | 0 |
| 2020 | Yekaterinburg* | 7½/14 | 3rd | 3 |
| 2026 | Cyprus | — | — | — |
*The 2020 Candidates was suspended after seven rounds due to COVID-19 and resumed in 2021.
Giri’s win rate in the Candidates has improved significantly over time. In 2020, he scored three wins – a number he will need to at least match in Cyprus to challenge for first place.
The bookmakers have Giri at 8/1 (11.1% implied chance), the fifth favourite behind Caruana, Nakamura, Sindarov, and Praggnanandhaa. But experts note that his recent form and his ability to prepare specifically for each opponent make him a dangerous dark horse. In the 2025 Grand Swiss, he beat both Wei Yi and Javokhir Sindarov – two players many consider contenders. His head‑to‑head against the field is solid; he has positive or even records against most of his rivals.
“If Anish plays with the confidence he showed in the Grand Swiss, he can beat anyone,” said GM Peter Svidler on the Perpetual Chess Podcast. “He has finally found the balance between his natural defensive solidity and the aggression needed to win a tournament like this.”
Indian fans have always felt a kinship with Giri. His surname, his features, and his open admiration for Indian culture make him a natural bridge between the Dutch and Indian chess communities. In 2024, when Gukesh won the Candidates, Giri was among the first to congratulate him. “Gukesh is a phenomenon,” he wrote. “Indian chess is where the future is.”
If Giri were to win the Candidates, he would become the first Dutch challenger since Jan Timman in 1993, and he would carry with him the story of a man who found his home in chess across four continents. His grandmother, who hails from India, is said to follow his games closely – and she will be watching on Sunday.
Giri’s first‑round opponent is R Praggnanandhaa, the Indian prodigy who finished fifth in the 2024 Candidates. Their head‑to‑head is remarkably balanced, with many draws. For Giri, a win would be a statement that he has truly shed his cautious past; a draw would not be a disaster, but it would leave him chasing from behind. The game will be one of the round’s key tests.
Round 1 begins on Sunday, 29 March at 15:00 local time (UTC+3). The full schedule and live commentary links are available on the official FIDE site.
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