FIDE is pleased to announce the 2019 Grand Prix Series, the qualifier for the 2020 Candidates Tournament. It will be held in cooperation with World Chess in a new format aimed at improving its appeal for spectators and players alike.

Each of the top 20 players qualified by rating will take part in 3 out of 4 knock-out tournaments. Each Grand Prix leg will feature 16 participants, including one wild card nominee by the organizers for each event (there will be 4 wild cards, one for each Grand Prix).

Prize fund for each event will be EUR 130,000, and FIDE establishes additional EUR 280,000 Prize Fund to be awarded based on the best cumulative score in the entire Series. FIDE and World Chess are also developing new organizational guidelines that will ensure smooth organization of the Series.

Two winners will qualify for the 2020 Candidates Tournament.

Dates of the Series are being finalized and will be announced by January 28, 2019, mindful of the other top chess events. Cities for the Series will be announced by February 04, 2019.