David's bottom pick: Esipenko

The 2026 Candidates Tournament is right around the corner, and this field might be one of the most competitive we’ve ever seen. In this episode of Dojo Talks, we break down every player’s chances, compare our picks to the betting odds, and debate who’s truly a contender.

From rising young stars to established elite players, we dig into form, consistency, and what it actually takes to win a Candidates.

Who do you think will come out on top?

We’re running a 2026 Candidates Fantasy Contest—and this is your chance to prove you actually know what you’re talking about.

Pick your players, lock in your rankings, and compete against the Dojo community to see who can best predict how the tournament unfolds. With such a wide-open field, this might be the hardest (and most fun) Candidates to call in years.

🏆 Prizes:

1st Place: Free Dojo membership + exclusive coaching session
2nd Place: Free Dojo membership
3rd Place: Dojo merch bundle

Make your picks here: https://tinyurl.com/2026Candidates

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0:00 Intro & Candidates overview
1:30 Why this field is so competitive
3:00 Early picks & lowest seeds
10:30 Breaking down the bottom contenders
19:45 Giri & Wei Yi chances
32:10 Nakamura discussion
38:15 Prague’s form & upside
46:15 Young players & Sindarov
53:30 Top contenders debate
1:01:25 Final thoughts & betting vs reality