Vaishali Leads Women's FIDE Candidates Tournament After Strong Performance R Vaishali secured the sole lead in the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates tournament after a decisive draw against Anna Muzychuk in Round 10. The Indian grandmaster maintained a steady position throughout the game, avoiding any significant threats from her opponent. This result elevated Vaishali to a half-point advantage over the rest of the field, as Zhu Jiner’s loss to Bibisara Assaubayeva further solidified her position. Divya Deshmukh, meanwhile, faced a setback after a critical blunder in the endgame against Aleksandra Goryachkina, leaving her 1.5 points behind the leader. The women’s tournament remains highly competitive, with the top six players separated by just one point. Zhu Jiner and Muzychuk both sit on 5.5 points, half a point behind Vaishali’s 6.0. The standings reflect a tight race, with the top contenders still within striking distance. In Round 11, Vaishali will face Goryachkina with the black pieces, while Divya will take on Zhu Jiner with the black pieces. The upcoming matches will be crucial in determining the final standings. The results of Round 10 for the women’s event include: Anna Muzychuk drew 0.5-0.5 with R Vaishali Divya Deshmukh lost 0.5-0.5 to Aleksandra Goryachkina Bibisara Assaubayeva defeated Zhu Jiner 1-0 Kateryna Lagno drew 0.5-0.5 with Tan Zhongyi The standings after Round 10 are as follows: Anna Muzychuk - 5.5 Kateryna Lagno - 5 Bibisara Assaubayeva - 5 Aleksandra Goryachkina - 5 Divya Deshmukh - 4.5 Tan Zhongyi - 3.5 Javokhir Sindarov’s dominance in the open event continued as he defeated R Praggnanandhaa for the second time in the tournament. The Uzbek grandmaster capitalized on a decisive blunder by the Indian player in the middlegame, securing a clear victory.#anna_muzychuk #divya_deshmukh #bibisara_assaubayeva #vaishali_r #aleksandra_goryachkina
Candidates Chess: Sindarov Leads Charge, Muzychuk Dominates Women's Tournament Javokhir Sindarov, the 20-year-old Uzbekistan prodigy who claimed the World Cup title earlier this year, is now positioned to make history in the Candidates Chess tournament in Cyprus. With five wins, two draws, and six points from seven games, the youngest-ever Candidate has already secured the best score at the halfway mark of the event since the eight-player double round-robin format was introduced in 2013. Sindarov’s commanding performance has positioned him just four wins and three draws away from clinching the title, setting the stage for a potential repeat of his World Cup triumph. The tournament, held in Cyprus, has become a battleground for the world’s top chess talents, with Sindarov’s dominance standing out. His early lead has drawn attention from analysts and fans alike, who are closely monitoring his progress. The Uzbek’s ability to maintain such a high score in a fiercely competitive field underscores his potential to challenge the reigning world champion. However, the path to victory remains fraught with challenges, as the double round-robin format ensures every match carries significant weight. Meanwhile, the women’s Candidates tournament has also seen a dramatic shift in momentum. Anna Muzychuk, the 36-year-old Ukrainian grandmaster, has emerged as the leader after securing a spot in the competition just a week before its start. Her qualification came following the withdrawal of India’s top-ranked player, Humpy Koneru, which opened the door for Muzychuk to step into the spotlight. The highest-ranked Ukrainian GM has started the tournament with a perfect record, remaining undefeated and maintaining a half-point advantage over her rivals. Muzychuk’s ascent has been marked by her resilience and tactical precision.#cyprus #humpy_koneru #anna_muzychuk #javokhir_sindarov #candidates_chess
Candidates 2026: How Praggnanandhaa, Vaishali and Divya's chances stack up at the halfway mark At the midpoint of the FIDE Candidates 2026 tournaments in Cyprus, the competition has revealed stark contrasts between the men’s and women’s sections. In the open category, Uzbek grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov has surged ahead with a commanding lead, while the women’s tournament remains a tightly contested battle among top-tier players. Indian participants Praggnanandhaa, Vaishali, and Divya Deshmukh are all vying for positions that could secure their spots in the World Championship match, though their prospects vary significantly. In the men’s section, Sindarov’s dominance is undeniable. After seven rounds, the 25-year-old has accumulated six points from five wins and two draws, putting him in a position of near-certainty to claim the title. His performance has left the rest of the field struggling to keep pace, with Praggnanandhaa, the Indian prodigy, trailing by 2.5 points. The young player, who has already made a name for himself in international chess, now faces an uphill battle. With a score of 3.5 points from seven games—comprising one win, one loss, and five draws—Praggnanandhaa’s path to the final is fraught with challenges. Analysts suggest that unless Sindarov experiences a catastrophic collapse in the second half of the tournament, Praggnanandhaa’s chances are minimal. The Indian’s next critical opportunity lies in his upcoming game against Dutch grandmaster Anish Giri, where he will play as Black. This match, scheduled for the start of the second half, could provide the momentum needed to keep his hopes alive. However, Praggnanandhaa has not won a game since his opening-day victory over Giri, raising concerns about his ability to break his losing streak.#anna_muzychuk #divya_deshmukh #fide_candidates_2026 #praggnanandhaa #vaishali
"Bad move": Cyprus chess chief hits back at Koneru Humpy after Candidates pull-out Top Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy has withdrawn from the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament in Cyprus, citing concerns about her personal safety during the event. Her decision has drawn strong criticism from the Cyprus Chess Federation, which dismissed her claims as unfounded and emphasized the importance of the tournament as a critical pathway to the Women’s World Championship. Humpy, who qualified for the event after finishing runner-up at the 2025 Women’s World Cup, stated on social media that she had made the difficult choice to withdraw “after deep reflection.” She emphasized that her decision was driven by a commitment to her safety and well-being, despite assurances from organizers. “No event, no matter how important, can come before personal safety and well-being,” she wrote, adding that the situation left her feeling “unsecure” under current circumstances. The Cyprus Chess Federation strongly rejected her reasoning, calling it a “bad move” and accusing her of spreading misinformation. A spokesperson for the federation stated that the tournament is “one of the largest and most important chess events in the world” and that decisions at such a high level should be based on “calculation and facts,” not fear or unfounded concerns. The federation warned that Humpy’s withdrawal could lead to consequences, including potential fines under FIDE rules, if her reasoning is not accepted. With Humpy’s absence, Ukraine’s Anna Muzychuk has been confirmed as her replacement in the tournament. India will still have representation through players R Vaishali and Divya Deshmukh in the women’s category. In the open category, R Praggnanandhaa will be the sole Indian flagbearer.#konneru_humpy #cyprus_chess_federation #anna_muzychuk #r_vaishali #divya_deshmukh
