EP 156 | Who Will Be Top -10 in June 2026?

from Dojo Talks: A Chess Podcast · host IM Kostya Kavutskiy, IM David Pruess, GM Jesse Kraai

Episode note: the recording froze around the 31 minute mark, so you may hear a short piece cut out. Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.club Watch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Play Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo In this episode, the sensei review their previous top 10 predictions for June 2025, evaluating their accuracy against the actual FIDE rankings. They also make new predictions for June 2026, highlighting rising stars like Gukesh and Arjun while debating the future potential of players like Firouzja, Niemann, and Nakamura. Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop Want to support the channel? Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojo Donate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tip Find all of our chess book & supplies recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you. Website: https://chessdojo.club Twitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojo Discord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFw Twitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojo Patreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojo Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojo Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojo Podcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.com TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips 00:00 – Introduction 01:17 – June 2025 FIDE Top 10 03:09 – Firouzja Correctly Predicted to Enter Top 10 04:20 – Decline of Nepomniachtchi, So, and Anand 06:43 – Misses on Abdusattorov and Other Juniors 07:50 – Firouzja’s Struggles and Unfulfilled Potential 12:38 – Start of 2026 Top 10 Predictions 14:41 – Controversial Pick at #10 25:04 – Will Magnus Stay Ranked with Minimal Games? 33:32 – Debating the Top 5: Naka, Gukesh, Arjun, Fabi 46:59 – Final Dojo Composite Top 10 List for 2026 53:03 – Wrap-Up & Patreon Support Appeal

What this episode covers

Episode note: the recording froze around the 31 minute mark, so you may hear a short piece cut out. Join the Dojo - https://chessdojo.clubWatch Live - https://twitch.tv/chessdojoPlay Chess - https://go.chess.com/chessdojo In this episode, the sensei review their previous top 10 predictions for June 2025, evaluating their accuracy against the actual FIDE rankings. They also make new predictions for June 2026, highlighting rising stars like Gukesh and Arjun while debating the future potential of players like Firouzja, Niemann, and Nakamura. Merch - https://www.chessdojo.club/shop Want to support the channel?Patreon - https://patreon.com/chessdojoDonate - https://streamelements.com/chessdojo/tip Find all of our chess book & supplies recommendations (& more!) on our Amazon storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/chessdojo Shopping through our link is a great way to support the Dojo. We earn a small affiliate % but at no cost to you. Website: https://chessdojo.clubTwitch: https://twitch.tv/chessdojoDiscord: https://discord.gg/GhKsJtjpFwTwitter: https://twitter.com/chessdojoPatreon: https://patreon.com/chessdojoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chessdojoFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/chessdojoPodcast: https://chessdojotalks.podbean.comTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@/chessdojoclips 00:00 – Introduction01:17 – June 2025 FIDE Top 1003:09 – Firouzja Correctly Predicted to Enter Top 1004:20 – Decline of Nepomniachtchi, So, and Anand06:43 – Misses on Abdusattorov and Other Juniors07:50 – Firouzja’s Struggles and Unfulfilled Potential12:38 – Start of 2026 Top 10 Predictions14:41 – Controversial Pick at #1025:04 – Will Magnus Stay Ranked with Minimal Games?33:32 – Debating the Top 5: Naka, Gukesh, Arjun, Fabi46:59 – Final Dojo Composite Top 10 List for 202653:03 – Wrap-Up & Patreon Support Appeal