The esteemed 2024 Candidates chess tournaments to identify two challengers for classical world champions Ding Liren and Ju Wenjun, will take place in Toronto simultaneously. China has both the male and female world champions. Liren defeated Russia’s Ian Nepomniachtchi to claim the title of the king of classical chess, while Wenjun beat her compatriot Lei Tingjie and cemented the title of the queen. On the FIDE calendar of events, the Candidates tournaments rank second in importance to the World Champion-ship. This week the column highlights the countdown for the open (men’s) tournament today.
