#anish_giri

FIDE Candidates 2026 Open Section: Sindarov Seals Title with a Round to Spare; Extends Unbeaten Run to 50 Games Javokhir Sindarov’s remarkable journey at the FIDE Candidates 2026 Open Section reached its conclusion on April 14, 2026, as he secured the title with a draw against Anish Giri in Round 13. The Uzbek grandmaster, who had already extended his unbeaten streak to 50 games, clinched the tournament with a two-point lead, leaving Giri unable to close the gap. The result ensured Sindarov a place in the FIDE World Championship match against D. Gukesh later in the year. Heading into the final round, Sindarov held a two-point advantage over Giri, who needed a decisive victory to force the title race into the final day. However, the draw in Round 13 proved sufficient for Sindarov to claim the title, as the gap could not be bridged in the remaining games. The match against Giri, which began with 1. e4 by the Dutch player, saw Sindarov adopt a solid positional approach. By move 15, the game had transitioned into a queenless middlegame, a scenario that favored Sindarov’s risk-averse strategy. Giri attempted to exert pressure along the d-file, but Sindarov’s resolute defense, marked by moves such as Be6 and Re6, neutralized White’s initiatives. The game eventually reached a rook and bishop endgame, where neither side could find a decisive advantage. After repeated moves, the players agreed to a draw by threefold repetition, a decision that solidified Sindarov’s position as the tournament winner. Sindarov’s achievement marks a significant milestone in his career, as he becomes the first player to remain unbeaten throughout the entire Candidates tournament.#d_gukesh #javokhir_sindarov #anish_giri #fide_candidates_2026_open_section #fide_world_championship

Candidates Chess: Vaishali's Final Push for Women's Title in Cyprus R Vaishali, the joint-leader in the women’s Candidates Chess tournament in Cyprus, faces a critical challenge as the penultimate round approaches. With seven points in the standings, Vaishali must defeat Tan Zhongyi, the 2023 Women’s World Champion, in the 13th round on Tuesday to secure a strong position for the title. The match will be played with black pieces, a strategic advantage that could tip the balance in her favor. However, the task is far from guaranteed, as Zhongyi, who currently trails with five points, has shown signs of inconsistency in recent games. Vaishali’s preparation has been aided by a woman psychologist, which has reportedly helped her maintain a more balanced and composed approach to the game. While computer algorithms may overestimate her accuracy, the 24-year-old, seeded as the lowest contender in the tournament, has yet to demonstrate the level of elite play required to challenge the top contenders. Her performance in the 13th round will be pivotal, as a win would place her in a position to control her fate in the final match against Ukrainian-turned-Russian Kateryna Lagno. If she fails to secure a victory, she will have to rely on other results to either clinch the title or force a playoff scenario in case of a tie. The competition for the Candidates title is fierce, with Zhu Jiner, also on seven points, emerging as Vaishali’s primary rival. Jiner, a direct contender for the Women’s World Championship, has been supported by the Chinese chess federation, which is determined to derail the Indian challenge. Jiner’s upcoming matches against Russian player Alexsandra Goryachkina and Ukrainian Anna Muzychuk in the 13th and final rounds respectively will be crucial.#zhu_jiner #anish_giri #vaishali #tan_zhongyi #chinese_chess_federation

FIDE Candidates: Sindarov Nears Victory as All Games End in Draws; Zhu Jiner and Vaishali Share Lead Javokhir Sindarov took a cautious approach in his game against Hikaru Nakamura, securing a draw that brought him one step closer to winning the Candidates tournament and earning the right to challenge Gukesh for the title. With two rounds remaining, Sindarov’s strategic decision to prioritize a swift draw over aggressive play highlighted his focus on preparing for the upcoming clash against Anish Giri. The rest of the games in the round also ended in draws, though Anish Giri nearly defeated Wei Yi, missing a critical opportunity to close the gap in the standings. In the women’s section, Zhu Jiner made a strong statement by defeating Vaishali Rameshbabu with the black pieces in a complex game, joining Vaishali in the lead. Bibisara Assaubayeva also secured a crucial victory over Kateryna Lagno, narrowing the gap between her and the leaders, while Anna Muzychuk missed a significant chance to join the top group after a missed tactical opportunity in her game against Aleksandra Goryachkina. With just two rounds left, the tournament remains highly competitive. The round began with a ceremonial first move performed by Manish, the High Commissioner of India, who opened the game for Vaishali. Before the round, attention centered on Sindarov’s pairing with Nakamura. Commentator Peter Svidler noted that Sindarov’s decision to draw was a calculated move to rest and prepare for his next challenge. Both players later explained their approach in the media center. Sindarov emphasized his need for a quick draw to recover from a critical game the previous day, stating, “I was aiming for forcing draw lines; a fast draw is ideal for my situation.#hikaru_nakamura #javokhir_sindarov #zhu_jiner #anish_giri #vaishali_rameshbabu

R Praggnanandhaa Suffers 3rd Defeat Of Candidates; R Vaishali Jumps To Sole Lead Among Women The tenth round of the Candidates chess tournament concluded with Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov extending his lead to two points after defeating India’s R Praggnanandhaa. Sindarov, who had already secured six victories in the tournament, added his second win over Praggnanandhaa, raising his total to eight points. The Indian player, who had previously lost to Sindarov in rounds five and eight, now trails with four points, effectively eliminating him from contention for the title. Anish Giri of the Netherlands remains the sole competitor within striking distance, sitting on six points. Sindarov’s victory was marked by his meticulous preparation and tactical precision. The Uzbek player sacrificed a piece early in the game, creating complex positions that Praggnanandhaa failed to navigate. The Indian’s queen was captured for two rooks and several pawns, leading to a decisive loss. Sindarov’s subsequent play was described as flawless, solidifying his position at the top of the standings. In other results from the round, Fabiano Caruana of the United States drew with Wei Yi of China, while Hikaru Nakamura of the United States and Anish Giri of the Netherlands shared a draw. Andrey Esipenko of Russia and Matthias Bluebaum of Germany also settled for a draw, keeping their points totals at 3.5 and 4.5 respectively. These outcomes maintained the competitive balance in the men’s section, though Sindarov’s dominance remains a defining factor. Meanwhile, in the women’s Candidates tournament, R Vaishali of India surged to the sole lead after drawing with Anna Muzychuk of Ukraine. Vaishali’s six points placed her ahead of Muzychuk and Jiner Zhu of China, who both scored 5.5 points.#fabiano_caruana #r_praggnanandhaa #javokhir_sindarov #anish_giri #wei_yi

FIDE Candidates: Sindarov Stumbles, Giri Strikes as Race Tightens The FIDE Candidates tournament saw a dramatic shift in momentum as Javokhir Sindarov missed a critical opportunity to extend his lead, allowing Anish Giri to narrow the gap after a decisive victory over Fabiano Caruana. With five rounds remaining, Sindarov still holds a 1.5-point advantage over the field, but the results of the day have intensified the competition. Meanwhile, the Women’s Candidates tournament also saw key developments as Vaishali and Zhu Jiner surged ahead, while Anna Muzychuk’s missteps left her trailing the leaders. The afternoon’s action began with a symbolic opening move by Paris Klerides, the Cyprus Chess Federation’s General Secretary and FIDE Delegate, who played 1.e4 on behalf of Matthias Bluebaum. However, Bluebaum himself opted for 1.d4, initiating a rare and uncharted line against Sindarov’s Harrwitz Attack in the Queen’s Gambit Declined. Commentator Jan Gustafsson noted the unusual move order, speculating that neither player had encountered it before. The game quickly escalated into a complex position with opposite-side castling, leaving both players without established theoretical references. The critical moment arrived after White played 24.bxa4. Sindarov, who had a clear advantage, faced a pivotal decision. Instead of opting for 24…Qb7 or 24…Qa5 to maintain pressure, he chose 24…Bxa4?, exchanging queens and easing the tension. In his post-game press conference, Sindarov admitted the miscalculation: “I had a big advantage, but I missed his resource 29.f5 in the endgame. I thought I was winning a pawn, but I should have kept the queens on the board; I would have had a very strong attack.#fabiano_caruana #javokhir_sindarov #zhu_jiner #anish_giri #vaishali

Candidates: Javokhir Sindarov Continues to Surge Ahead Javokhir Sindarov, the 20-year-old Uzbek chess prodigy, maintained his dominant position in the Candidates tournament after securing his fourth consecutive win on Friday. The eight-player, 14-round event saw Sindarov leap to 4.5 points following five rounds, solidifying his lead over the competition. His victory over Hikaru Nakamura, the American grandmaster, marked a pivotal moment in the tournament, as Nakamura’s defeat not only cost him a potential upset but also diminished the chances of other top contenders like R Praggnanandhaa and Anish Giri. Nakamura, who entered the tournament with a reputation for disrupting rival strategies, faced a challenging match against Sindarov. Despite Nakamura’s efforts to secure a speculative advantage, Sindarov’s consistent play and tactical precision proved too much. The loss left Nakamura in a precarious position, as his defeat meant that the half points earned by Praggnanandhaa and Giri in the same round against Andrey Esipenki and Wei Yi respectively became less impactful. Both Praggnanandhaa and Giri now trail Sindarov by two full points, requiring four more decisive wins in the remaining rounds to remain in contention. Sindarov’s performance was further highlighted by his comments during a Chess24 webcast, where he emphasized his disciplined approach to the game. “I’m always playing solid. With white, I am playing for two results (win or draw); with black I don’t want to push (stretch things). I’m in a very good situation right now,” he said, underscoring his confidence in maintaining his lead. The tournament’s first half is still in progress, but Sindarov’s strong start has positioned him as the clear favorite to advance to the next stage.#hikaru_nakamura #praggnanandhaa #javokhir_sindarov #anish_giri #andrey_esipenki

Candidates Chess: Rivals Hope Sindarov Fumbles in the Jungle Javokhir Sindarov, the 20-year-old World Cup winner, leads the Candidates chess tournament in Paphos, Cyprus, with three decisive victories under his belt. His rivals, including Hikaru Nakamura and Anish Giri, are determined to prevent him from securing a spot in the World Championship. Nakamura, who missed a critical defensive move against Fabiano Caruana in the first round, admitted his disappointment on his streaming channel. “Not finding Kc7 was a shame and unacceptable from my side,” he said, reflecting on the missed opportunity. Later, he failed to capitalize on a chance against Wei Yi, calling the outcome “the cookie simply hasn’t crumbled in my favour.” Giri, who initially lost to R Praggnanandhaa in the Sicilian Closed variation—a tactic he had previously tutored—turned the tide by defeating Andrey Esipenko in the Sicilian Najdorf. When asked about balancing secrecy and monetizing his expertise, Giri remarked, “It is very easy. I sell my secrets. Everything has a price. Sometimes, you sacrifice dignity for money.” His performance in the fourth round showcased his adaptability, though his earlier loss to Praggnanandhaa highlighted the challenges of the tournament. Sindarov, the youngest participant in the event, maintains a comfortable lead with 3.5 points, supported by his second, GM Mukhiddin Madaminov, and other remote assistants. While he has not disclosed their identities, his friendship with Bibisara Assaubayeva, a three-time Women’s World Blitz champion, is well known. Assaubayeva, competing in the women’s section, has been a consistent presence in the tournament. Sindarov’s confidence stems from his early successes, though he acknowledged the need for caution.#hikaru_nakamura #paphos_cyprus #javokhir_sindarov #anish_giri #bibisara_assaubayeva