Levon Aronian Discusses FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 and Fabiano Caruana's Chances

Aronian's Insights on the Upcoming Candidates Tournament

Levon Aronian has shared his thoughts on the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament, describing it as the most thrilling event in the chess world. He has expressed strong support for Fabiano Caruana, whom he considers the frontrunner, while also acknowledging the element of luck that can influence the outcome. Aronian stated, “The Candidates tournament is incredibly exciting for both players and spectators. It showcases eight competitors, all driven by a singular ambition.” He emphasized the unique nature of the tournament, where ultimately, only one player emerges victorious while the others face defeat.

Highlighting Caruana's remarkable consistency, Aronian explained, “In my view, Fabiano stands out as the clear favorite. His performance has been steady throughout the year, and he qualified effortlessly.” He further noted, “For many years, he has been recognized as the second strongest player globally, following Magnus Carlsen.” Aronian estimated Caruana's chances of winning to be between 40 to 45 percent.

In addition to Caruana, Aronian mentioned a potential surprise contender: “I believe Sarov could be a dark horse. He is young, ambitious, and plays an engaging style of chess. If he gets off to a good start, he could pose a significant threat.” Despite his own chess journey, Aronian revealed his support for his teammates, particularly Fabiano and Hikaru Nakamura, expressing a desire to see an American crowned world champion.

Currently, Aronian is concentrating on his own chess endeavors, stating, “I’m focused on my games and not preoccupied with qualifying for any tournaments. If I make it to the Candidates, I’ll be prepared to compete fiercely.”