Chess: Favourite Fabiano Caruana loses twice in runup to world title Candidates
Fabiano Caruana, the world No.3 and favorite for the Candidates, lost two matches in St. Louis, undermining his preparation for the Cyprus event. The defeats highlighted potential weaknesses that opponents may exploit, opening the field for other top players.
Fabiano Caruana, the world No.3 and reigning U.S. champion, entered a two‑match warm‑up in St. Louis before the Candidates tournament in Cyprus. The plan was to sharpen his game against strong opponents, but the results were disappointing: he was beaten by Wesley So in the American Cup and by Levon Aronian in the Saint Louis Masters. These losses have cast doubt on his readiness for the upcoming title‑challenger event.
What Happened in St. Louis
Caruana’s first outing was the Saint Louis Masters, a nine‑game round‑robin where he finished second behind former Russian champion Mikhail Antipov. Despite an unbeaten 7/9 score, Caruana lost the title match to Antipov, a result that raised questions about his form.
His second game was the American Cup, a double‑elimination knockout. In the first classical game, Caruana won with the white pieces, but he lost the second classical game as Black. The tie‑break, a rapid match, saw him fall 1.5‑2.5 to So. A similar pattern emerged in his loss to Levon Aronian: Caruana won the first classical game, lost the second, and then lost the rapid tie‑break. Both defeats followed a pattern where Caruana’s middle‑game strategy and end‑game technique were gradually eroded, especially in positions without queens.
Implications for the Candidates in Cyprus
The Candidates tournament, scheduled for 29 March to 16 April at Cap St. Georges Resort in Pegeia, Cyprus, is the final stepping stone to the World Chess Championship. Caruana was the 5‑2 favorite, but his recent setbacks have opened the field. World No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura, the popular streamer, and Uzbek Javokhir Sindarov, winner of the 2025 World Cup, are now co‑second favorites at roughly 5‑1 odds.
Other contenders have gained momentum. China’s Wei Yi, India’s Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, Netherlands’ Anish Giri, Germany’s Matthias Blübaum, and Russia’s Andrey Esipenko all have strong support. The event’s outcome could hinge on how well each player capitalizes on Caruana’s exposed middle‑game and end‑game vulnerabilities.
Broader Chess Scene and Parallel Events
While the Candidates draw attention, other chess competitions are also underway. The Women’s Candidates, which determines the challenger to China’s Ju Wenjun, will run concurrently in Pegeia. Participants include India’s Koneru Humpy, Vaishali Rameshbabu, and Divya Deshmukh; China’s Zhu Jiner and Tan Zhongyi; Russia’s Aleksandra Goryachkina and Kateryna Lagno; and Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva. Goryachkina is a favored contender in the women’s field.
Back in the United Kingdom, the British Rapidplay Championship is set to take place in Peterborough over two days. The 11‑round event features a 15‑minute time control with a 10‑second increment per move. Prizes exceed £6,500, with £1,500 for the overall winner and £750 for the women’s champion. More than 200 players have entered, including seven grandmasters such as Gawain Maroroa Jones, Michael Adams, and 17‑year‑old Shreyas Royal. The tournament also offers a platform for junior talents like Stanley Badacsonyi and Oleg Verbytski to showcase their skills.
Challenges Facing Classical Chess in England
England’s classical chess scene faces a shortage of players rated 2100‑2400. High entry fees and the allure of online play deter many experts, while juniors often prefer the Four Nations Chess League and county matches. This trend risks lowering the standard of over‑board play in England compared to the rest of Europe. In contrast, continental tournaments such as France’s, Germany’s, and Spain’s opens attract hundreds of players and provide realistic opportunities for title norms.
Recent events, like the Aeroflot Open in Moscow, have implemented a minimum 2300 rating requirement and higher entry fees for lower‑2300 players, further emphasizing the need for a balanced competitive structure.
Overall, the chess world is watching closely as the Candidates tournament approaches, with Caruana’s recent losses adding intrigue to the race for the world championship title.
Why it matters
Caruana’s defeats highlight potential weaknesses that could be exploited by his rivals, making the Candidates tournament more unpredictable and raising the stakes for the world title race.
Key points
- Caruana lost two matches in St. Louis, undermining his warm‑up. The defeats exposed middle‑game and end‑game vulnerabilities. Other top players like Nakamura, Sindarov, and Giri now have a clearer path. The Women’s Candidates and British Rapidplay Championship run concurrently. England’s classical chess scene struggles with a shortage of high‑rated players.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Candidates tournament?
The Candidates is a multi‑stage event that determines the challenger for the World Chess Championship. The winner earns the right to face the reigning champion.
Why did Caruana lose twice in St. Louis?
Caruana’s opponents exploited his middle‑game strategy and end‑game technique, gradually eroding his advantage in positions without queens.
Who are the other top contenders for the Candidates?
Besides Caruana, players such as Hikaru Nakamura, Javokhir Sindarov, Wei Yi, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, Anish Giri, Matthias Blübaum, and Andrey Esipenko are strong favorites.
