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Fabiano Caruana named among FIDE Excellence Awards nominees in elite category

2026-07-17 · Fabiano Caruana · Player Focus

Fabiano Caruana has been shortlisted for the inaugural FIDE Excellence Awards in the Best Chess Player (Male) category, marking another high-profile recognition for the American grandmaster’s sustained elite performances.

What happened?

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) unveiled the nominees for its first-ever Excellence Awards on Friday, with Caruana named among the 10 finalists in the top male player category. The awards cover performances from September 2024 to August 2026 and will be presented in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, alongside the 46th Chess Olympiad in September.

Why it matters for Fabiano Caruana

Caruana’s inclusion puts him in elite company. He’ll compete against world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen, Alireza Firouzja, Anish Giri, Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Vincent Keymer and Javokhir Sindarov for the award. The biennial format rewards consistency over a two-year span, and Caruana’s recent results have kept him among the sport’s top performers.

Who else is in the running?

India dominates the shortlist with three nominees: reigning world champion D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi. The women’s category features Koneru Humpy and R Vaishali alongside world champion Ju Wenjun. Gukesh and Divya Deshmukh also vie for Best Breakthrough honors after their recent title wins.

What comes next?

The awards selection panel will now review the shortlist and vote to determine the winners. The finalists were chosen by a FIDE Excellence Awards Jury after a public nomination process held throughout June. Winners will be announced in Samarkand during the Olympiad’s opening week.

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