Perpetual Chess Podcast EP 476- GM Jan Gustafsson previews the 2026 FIDE Candidates
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Mar 17, 2026 Jan Gustafsson, grandmaster and opening theoretician who has worked with Magnus Carlsen, previews the 2026 Candidates field. He breaks down contenders like Praggnanandhaa, Sindarov, Caruana and Nakamura. They discuss stamina, preparation, time controls, the Women’s Candidates, and who offers the best value picks. Jan also touches on his latest projects and on-site commentary plans.
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Play The Candidates Game By Game
- Take the Candidates one game at a time rather than trying to pace to a target score.
- Jan Gustafsson advises using rest days to evaluate prep and adjust, but not to plan exact point milestones in advance.
Momentum Helps But Experience Still Matters
- Momentum and confidence from recent big wins can matter, but experience at world-class events still matters more.
- Jan notes Sindarov's World Cup form and stamina give him momentum, while newcomers may struggle with pacing and pressure.
Underdog Starts And Opponent Approach Matter
- Outsiders' performance depends heavily on their start and how opponents approach them.
- Jan gave Matthias Bluebaum a small but nonzero chance, stressing confidence and preparation after his rapid rise.