From May 3 to 27, 2011, Kazan, the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, plays host to the participants of the Candidates Matches 2011.

The pairings are: Veselin Topalov (Bulgaria) - Gata Kamsky (U.S.), Vladimir Kramnik (Russia) – Teimour Radjabov (Azerbaijan), Levon Aronian (Armenia) – Alexander Grischuk (Russia), Boris Gelfand (Israel)– Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (Azerbaijan).

The four losers of the first round matches will each receive 30,000 euros minimum. The two losers of the second round matches will each receive 60,000 euros minimum, and the minimum prize fund for the final match of the third round is 180,000 euros which will be split equally between the two players (90,000 euros each).

The winner of the Candidates Matches 2011 will qualify to challenge the World Champion GM Viswanathan Anand in a 12-game match during the first half of 2012.