Overview
- The 19-year-old skipped the Tata Steel Rapid & Blitz in Kolkata and will open his 2026 campaign in Wijk aan Zee against World Cup winner Javokhir Sindarov.
- Coach Grzegorz Gajewski says the team will play fewer events, skipping exhibitions and online outings to focus on only the most important tournaments.
- He identifies patience and confidence as the year’s chess priorities, noting that some 2025 losses were caused by trying too hard as the youngest world champion adjusted to pressure.
- The March–April Candidates Tournament will decide his challenger, with R Praggnanandhaa already qualified and a possible all-Indian title match in Chennai floated by FIDE vice-president Viswanathan Anand.
- Tata Steel Masters features a youthful, strong field and a new no-increment-until-move-40 time control that mirrors the Candidates format.