New Delhi: The FIDE has ruled out any change of venue for the FIDE Candidates Tournament, stating that there is no emergency situation in Cyprus despite concerns about the ongoing conflict in the nearby Gulf region.
The prestigious tournament, scheduled to begin on March 28, will determine the challengers for the world championship titles currently held by D Gukesh in the open category and Ju Wenjun in the women’s section.
Security concerns emerged after a recent drone attack on a British air base in Cyprus raised fears that tensions triggered by the conflict involving United States, Israel, and Iran could affect the island nation. Cyprus, located in the Mediterranean Sea south of Turkey, is also a member of the European Union.
Addressing the concerns, FIDE Chief Executive Officer Emil Sutovsky said preparations for the tournament are in their final stages and the organisation is closely monitoring developments. He stated that although Cyprus is geographically close to the conflict zone, it is not directly involved in the war and there are currently no security conditions that justify relocating the event.
Sutovsky added that organisers remain in regular contact with local authorities who are assisting with arrangements and security measures for the tournament.
The Candidates tournament will feature eight players each in the open and women’s categories who qualified through a rigorous international process. The winners will earn the right to challenge the reigning world champions later this year.
In the open section, R Praggnanandhaa will be the only Indian participant. In the women’s event, Koneru Humpy, Divya Deshmukh, and R Vaishali have qualified.
Reports suggest that Humpy is considering withdrawing from the tournament due to security concerns. If she decides to pull out, organisers will invite another qualified player to fill her spot, a situation that could complicate the tournament lineup.
Despite the uncertainties, FIDE has expressed confidence in the arrangements made by Cyprus, noting that the country’s leadership recognises the global importance of hosting the event. The tournament is expected to be formally inaugurated by the nation’s president on the opening day.
