The six-episode documentary CANDIDATES follows D Gukesh and four Indian chess stars through their struggles, victories and historic achievements. The series premieres free on YouTube on November 22, 2026.
The official trailer for CANDIDATES, a six-episode documentary series about India’s rising chess stars, has been released.
Produced by Dopamine Media & Entertainment, the series follows D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, R Vaishali, Arjun Erigaisi and Vidit Gujrathi.
Moreover, it captures their journeys over two and a half years, from June 2022 to December 2024.
At the centre of the documentary is Gukesh’s remarkable rise to becoming the youngest-ever undisputed World Chess Champion at just 18.
CANDIDATES Trailer Reveals the Emotional Side of Chess
CANDIDATES offers audiences a behind-the-scenes look at competitive chess.
The documentary explores the pressure, sacrifices and emotions experienced by young players.
Moreover, the filmmakers captured real moments as events unfolded.
Unlike traditional sports documentaries, the series does not rely on staged or recreated scenes.
Instead, it features genuine reactions from tournaments and personal moments inside the players’ homes.
As a result, viewers will experience the emotional challenges behind professional chess.
Biswa Kalyan Rath Opens Up About CANDIDATES
Comedian and creator Biswa Kalyan Rath serves as co-creator and producer of the documentary.
Speaking about the series, he highlighted the intense emotions behind the seemingly quiet sport.
“Chess looks like the quietest sport in the world. Spend time with these players and you realise how loud it is inside their heads,” he said.
Furthermore, he explained how deeply defeats affect the players.
“Every loss is personal,” Biswa added.
His comments highlight the documentary’s focus on the human side of chess.
D Gukesh’s Journey From Childhood Dream to World Champion
The documentary places D Gukesh’s extraordinary journey at its heart.
In 2013, a seven-year-old Gukesh watched Viswanathan Anand lose the World Chess Championship in Chennai.
That moment inspired his dream of bringing the title back to India.
However, achieving that goal was far from easy.
The series revisits his heartbreaking mistake at the 2022 Chess Olympiad.
Moreover, it follows the setbacks and comebacks that shaped his journey.
Finally, in December 2024, Gukesh became the youngest-ever undisputed World Chess Champion at 18.
Five Indian Chess Stars Take Centre Stage
While Gukesh’s achievement forms the central storyline, CANDIDATES also follows four other talented players.
R Praggnanandhaa, R Vaishali, Arjun Erigaisi and Vidit Gujrathi feature prominently in the documentary.
Each player brings a different personality and competitive journey.
Praggnanandhaa emerges as a fan favourite, while Vaishali’s determination adds another emotional layer.
Meanwhile, Arjun’s unconventional approach and Vidit’s resurgence highlight different sides of competitive chess.
Furthermore, the documentary explores friendships, rivalries and family sacrifices.
Together, these stories showcase India’s emerging chess generation.
CANDIDATES Was Filmed Across Eight Countries
The documentary was filmed across eight countries and territories and 14 cities.
Moreover, the crew followed the players for approximately two and a half years.
The series uses a vérité-style approach to capture events naturally.
Nothing was staged, scripted or recreated, according to the filmmakers.
As a result, audiences will see authentic reactions during victories and defeats.
The documentary also offers glimpses into the players’ personal lives beyond tournaments.
Director Prashant Raj Explains the YouTube Release
Prashant Raj, co-creator and director of CANDIDATES, revealed why the team chose YouTube.
According to him, the platform played an important role in building India’s younger chess audience.
“We are releasing CANDIDATES on YouTube because that is where India’s new chess audience grew up, and it should be free for all of them,” he explained.
Moreover, the decision allows audiences to watch the documentary without a subscription.
The creators hope the series will connect with chess enthusiasts and general viewers alike.
CANDIDATES Release Date and Episode Schedule
CANDIDATES premieres free on Dopamine Media’s YouTube channel on November 22, 2026.
The release is scheduled to coincide with the opening ceremony of Gukesh’s World Championship title defence in Geneva.
Furthermore, the six episodes will arrive over several weeks.
All episodes are scheduled for 7 PM IST, with the final two episodes premiering one hour apart.
- Episode 1: November 22, 2026
- Episode 2: November 27, 2026
- Episode 3: December 1, 2026
- Episode 4: December 5, 2026
- Episodes 5 and 6: December 9, 2026
The documentary concludes with a two-part finale on December 9.
CANDIDATES Celebrates India’s Chess Generation
CANDIDATES explores the personal journeys behind India’s growing success in international chess.
Rather than focusing only on trophies, the series highlights the struggles and sacrifices behind every achievement.
Moreover, it captures the determination of young players chasing extraordinary dreams.
Gukesh’s rise to the world championship forms the documentary’s emotional centre.
However, the stories of Praggnanandhaa, Vaishali, Arjun and Vidit add depth to the narrative.
Ultimately, CANDIDATES offers a closer look at the people behind India’s chess achievements.
Watch the official trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyNc4eaumSg
Are you excited to watch Gukesh’s journey in CANDIDATES? Share your thoughts in the comments, and follow Awesome TV for the latest documentary releases, streaming updates and entertainment news!
About the author
Neha Nikharge is Assistant Editor at Awesome TV and a writer for AWSM Times. Neha covers Bollywood, OTT releases, celebrity interviews and pop culture for South Asian audiences in the US and around the world, and has written more than 4,500 stories for Awesome TV. Story tips and corrections: hello@awesometv.com.
Where to Watch / Shop
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, Awesome TV earns from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.
Stream It Now
