The International Chess Federation (FIDE) officially announced significant updates to its FIDE Circuit format, which will be implemented for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. These regulatory and structural changes, approved by the FIDE Council on December 26, 2025, and effective January 1, 2026, aim to redefine elite chess by strengthening the Circuit's role as a performance-based qualification pathway for the Candidates Tournament 2028. A major reform introduces a two-year Circuit cycle, combining results from 2026 and 2027 into a single ranking. Players' final scores will now be calculated from their twelve highest event scores achieved across this two-year period, promoting consistency over a longer duration. New balance rules ensure a broad tournament portfolio, limiting the number of rapid/blitz tournaments and events with fewer than 50 participants that can count towards a player's final score. To foster greater participation and provide opportunities for a wider range of grandmasters, FIDE has introduced a separate FIDE Open Circuit sub-ranking. This move is intended to provide equal competitive opportunities and increase the role of sporting merit in selection, with top players qualifying for prestigious FIDE tournaments. Other notable adjustments include an updated tournament strength calculation, lowering the minimum average rating threshold for eligible events from 2700 to 2650. The Total Chess World Championship Tour has also been formally integrated into the FIDE Circuit, with its results contributing to overall scores. Additionally, bonus scoring for the World Championship Match has been adjusted, with the runner-up receiving fewer points to ensure a better balance between match results and overall tournament performance. This global overhaul aims to create a more robust, inclusive, and fair qualification system for the highest levels of competitive chess.