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: Vaishali Loses Round 12, Praggnanandhaa Draws in Intense Tournament The 2026 FIDE Candidates tournament saw a dramatic shift in momentum as Indian players faced setbacks in the Women’s and Open sections. In the Women’s Candidates, Vaishali lost her Round 12 game to China’s Zhu Jiner, ending her sole lead and creating a two-way tie at the top. Both Vaishali and Zhu Jiner now share 7 points, setting up a thrilling final stretch of the tournament with only two rounds remaining. Vaishali’s loss was particularly impactful, as she had previously held a commanding position. The game, which she played with white pieces, ended in a blunder that allowed Zhu to secure the win. This result has significant implications for the women’s championship, as both players now face the challenge of overtaking their rivals in the final stages. Meanwhile, Divya Deshmukh, who had been placed joint second-last in the standings, suffered a loss to Tan Zhongyi, the bottom-placed player. This move left both Deshmukh and Zhongyi tied at 5 points, effectively eliminating them from contention for the title. The Women’s Candidates tournament has now entered its penultimate round, with Vaishali set to face Tan Zhongyi and Divya Deshmukh taking on Kateryna Lagno. Vaishali will need to maintain her composure and secure outright victories in her remaining matches to challenge for the title. The competition has been described as an intense race, with multiple players vying for the final spots. The standings after Round 12 reflect the tight race at the top. Anna Muzychuk and Bibisara Assaubayeva both sit at 6.5 points, just 0.5 behind Vaishali and Zhu Jiner. Kateryna Lagno and Aleksandra Goryachkina follow at 5.5 points, while Deshmukh remains at 5.#divya_deshmukh #zhu_jiner #vaishali #tan_zhongyi #kateryna_lagno
