Javokhir Sindarov: Candidates Chess: Sindarov one draw away from glory; Gukesh clash looms Javokhir Sindarov, the Uzbek grandmaster, is on the brink of securing a place in the World Chess Championship final after a series of critical results in the Candidates Tournament. With just one draw needed to clinch the top spot, Sindarov faces a pivotal showdown against his closest rival, Anish Gukesh, in the 13th round. The match, which will see Sindarov defending with his black pieces, carries immense weight as it could determine the next world champion. Earlier in the tournament, Sindarov demonstrated his resilience by securing a rapid draw against Hikaru Nakamura in the 12th round, a game that unfolded swiftly with both players exchanging queens and rooks within 33 moves. The game concluded in a balanced position, with Sindarov’s strategic precision ensuring a draw despite the high stakes. The 14th round promises another test, as Sindarov will play with the white pieces against Chinese grandmaster Wei Yi. This pairing adds intrigue to the tournament, as both players have shown consistency in their performances. Meanwhile, the women’s group has also seen dramatic developments. Tournament leader Vaishali Rameshbabu suffered a setback in the 12th round, losing a 39-move game to Zhu Jiner of China. Zhu’s Caro-Kann Defense exploited early inaccuracies from Vaishali, leading to a decisive advantage. Despite the loss, Vaishali remains in contention, sharing the lead with Zhu at 7 points each after a 71-move draw between Ukraine’s Anna Muzychuk and Aleksandra Goryachkina. The women’s group now features a two-way tie at the top, with both Vaishali and Zhu vying for the final berth in the Women’s World Championship. Sindarov’s path to glory has been marked by calculated risks and tactical mastery.#hikaru_nakamura #javokhir_sindarov #wei_yi #vaishali_rameshbabu #anish_gukesh
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
