Overview
- The twin Candidates tournaments are scheduled for March 28–April 16 at Cap St Georges near Paphos, with the President of Cyprus expected to open the event.
- FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky says preparations continue, the situation is being monitored with state authorities, and there is “nothing remotely dangerous” to justify a move.
- A March 1 drone strike on the RAF Akrotiri base in Cyprus prompted flight cancellations and heightened caution across the island and region.
- Indian grandmaster Koneru Humpy has publicly signaled she may withdraw on safety grounds and reiterated her concerns on X, while FIDE rules allow fines up to €10,000 for withdrawals deemed without satisfactory reason.
- Organizers say replacements would be called if needed, a step that analysts note can disrupt competitive preparation, recalling complications from the COVID-interrupted 2020 Candidates.