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
Candidates Chess: Vaishali Extends Lead to One Point R. Vaishali solidified her position as the sole leader in the Women’s Candidates chess tournament by securing a decisive victory over Aleksandra Goryachkina in the 11th round at Pegeia, Cyprus, on Saturday. The win, which came in the final round of the open section, propelled Vaishali to a total of seven points, leaving her with just three rounds remaining in the competition. Her performance underscored her dominance in the event, as she continues to build momentum toward the Women’s World Chess Championship. The match against Goryachkina, a former world champion from Russia, was a critical test for Vaishali. The Indian grandmaster’s victory not only extended her lead but also highlighted her ability to navigate high-pressure encounters. With three rounds left, Vaishali’s tally of seven points places her in a commanding position, though the final standings will depend on her results in the remaining games. The tournament, held in Cyprus, has drawn top-tier players from around the globe, making each round a pivotal moment in the race for the title. Vaishali’s lead was further bolstered by the performance of her fellow Indian competitor, Divya Deshmukh. Deshmukh played a crucial role in maintaining Vaishali’s advantage by holding her strongest rival, Zhu Jiner of China, to a draw. This result prevented Zhu Jiner from gaining ground on Vaishali and kept her in second place with six points. The draw also allowed Anna Muzychuk, a Ukrainian grandmaster, to share the second spot with Zhu Jiner, creating a tight race for the final qualification spots. Zhu Jiner, the second seed in the tournament, had been a formidable opponent throughout the competition. Her draw with Deshmukh, however, left her with six points and a one-point deficit to Vaishali.#divya_deshmukh #zhu_jiner #vaishali #aleksandra_goryachkina #pegeia
Candidates Chess: Sindarov Outclasses Praggnanandhaa; Vaishali Takes Sole Lead Javokhir Sindarov delivered a decisive performance against R Praggnanandhaa in the 10th round of the Candidates Chess tournament in Cyprus, capitalizing on the Indian’s critical oversight to secure a significant advantage. The Uzbek player, who had previously missed a winning sequence against Matthias Blubaum of Germany, demonstrated precision and composure in his match against Praggnanandhaa. The turning point came on the 22nd move when Praggnanandhaa played a bishop move that overlooked the imminent threat of Rf7 from Sindarov. This miscalculation allowed Sindarov to seize control of the game, ultimately leading to a position where he held a queen and five pawns against two rooks and two pawns. Experts noted the perplexity of Praggnanandhaa’s delay in playing his 18th move (Qe7), which further complicated his position. Sindarov’s victory marked a pivotal moment in the tournament, as it shifted the momentum in his favor. His good friend Bibisara Assaubayeva, a prominent player in the women’s section, observed the game and later contributed to Vaishali’s rise to the top of the standings. Assaubayeva’s win against joint leader Zhu Jiner of China helped Vaishali claim sole leadership in the women’s category. Vaishali, who had previously struggled under pressure, capitalized on her opportunities, while Praggnanandhaa’s missteps left him trailing in the overall standings. The tournament’s top three players, with four rounds remaining, included Sindarov at 8 points, Anish Giri at 6, and Fabiano Caruana at 5 in the open category. In the women’s section, Vaishali led with 6 points, while Zhu Jiner and Natalia Muzychuk shared 5.5 points.#cyprus #r_praggnanandhaa #javokhir_sindarov #bibisara_assaubayeva #vaishali
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 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
