In Episode 4, I take a critical look at the FIDE Candidates qualification system in both the Open and Women’s cycles. From the FIDE Circuit—where rapid and blitz events can count towards qualification and closed, invite-only tournaments can heavily influence results—to the Grand Swiss and World Cup pathways, I explore how different formats shape the field of challengers. I also examine the successes of the system, highlighting the players who have already secured their spots, while questioning whether the current approach always produces the best possible challengers.