Candidates 2026 venue row deepens as Hikaru Nakamura points to Cyprus power outage

The 2026 Candidates tournament will take place in Paphos, Cyprus, but there is an ongoing war in West Asia between Iran, the US and Israel

Published on: Mar 22, 2026, 19:56:00 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

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The Candidates 2026 tournament is set to begin on March 28, and it has already been facing the heat. The spotlight is on the controversial Gulf conflict, and the competition is set to be held in Cyprus.

Hikaru Nakamura raised concerns about the Candidates 2026 venue. (X)

The tournament will take place in Paphos, Cyprus, but there is an ongoing war in West Asia between Iran, the US and Israel. On March 1, a British air base in the country was hit. Fans and some players have expressed concerns.

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Meanwhile, FIDE has confirmed that there are no plans to shift the venue. Now, Hikaru Nakamura has added more to the venue controversy. The American GM took to X, pointing out the power outage in parts of the island country, which 'goes out completely' and 'doesn't come back for an extended period of time'.

Ḧe wrote, “It's not a good sign when power goes out completely in parts of Cyprus and doesn't come back for an extended period of time....”

Meanwhile, FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky has stated that there are no plans to change the venue. Speaking to ChessBase India, he said, "Our plans have not changed. We are in the final stages of preparing the Candidates’ Tournament. Of course, we are monitoring the situation. Cyprus is not too far from, let’s say, the war zone or conflict zone, but at the same time, it is not directly involved in any way and is not in a state of war."

"There is no emergency situation or anything like that. Of course, about ten days ago there were some worrying news, but since then the situation has appeared quite calm.

"But we are, of course, not just hoping that nothing will happen. We are constantly monitoring the situation and also staying in contact with the state authorities who are assisting us with everything related to the tournament," he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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