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
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
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
R Praggnanandhaa Draws, Divya Deshmukh Suffers Defeat In Candidates Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa secured a draw against German player Matthias Bluebaum in the fourth round of the open section of the FIDE Candidates Tournament on Wednesday. This result followed a previous loss to Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov in the third round, marking a setback in Praggnanandhaa’s campaign. The draw came after Praggnanandhaa had opened his tournament with a victory over Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri. Meanwhile, in the women’s event, Divya Deshmukh of India suffered a defeat against Chinese player Zhu Jiner, while Indian player R Vaishali drew with Russian Grandmaster Aleksandra Goryachkina. Javokhir Sindarov, who had already claimed two wins in the tournament, extended his dominance by defeating American Grandmaster Fabiano Caruana with a strong opening strategy. This victory brought Sindarov closer to securing the FIDE Candidates title. In the women’s section, Zhu Jiner and Ukrainian player Anna Muzychuk regained momentum with key victories, with Muzychuk now sharing the lead in the standings with Kazakhstani player Bibisara Assaubayeva. The tournament’s open section saw Praggnanandhaa’s early promise tempered by Sindarov’s aggressive play, which left the Indian player with a challenging path to the final. Praggnanandhaa’s draw against Bluebaum, however, ensured he remained in contention for a top-four finish. The women’s event also highlighted the competitiveness of the field, with multiple players vying for the final spots. The results underscored the high level of play in the FIDE Candidates Tournament, where both men’s and women’s sections featured intense matches and strategic depth.#divya_deshmukh #r_praggnanandhaa #javokhir_sindarov #zhu_jiner #fide_candidates_tournament
FIDE Candidates 2026: Praggnanandhaa Draws, Sindarov Takes Lead, Divya Suffers Defeat R Praggnanandhaa maintained his position in the FIDE Candidates 2026 tournament after securing a draw against Matthias Blübaum in the fourth round. The Indian grandmaster, who had previously lost to Javokhir Sindarov in the third round, opted for the Slav Defence in his fourth game, a choice that minimized pressure on his side. The game progressed without significant complications, resulting in a draw after 37 moves through a three-fold repetition. Both Praggnanandhaa and Blübaum now share 2 points, having drawn all four of their games so far. Anish Giri also joined them on 2 points after his win against Andrey Esipenko. Despite the draw, Praggnanandhaa’s standing in the tournament has worsened compared to the end of Round 3. With 2 points in four rounds, he trails Javokhir Sindarov, who has surged to the top of the standings. Sindarov’s victory over Fabiano Caruana in the fourth round gave him 3.5 points, a full point ahead of Caruana, who now sits second with 2.5 points. The Uzbek player’s dominance has positioned him as the clear leader, with his recent wins against Esipenko, Praggnanandhaa, and Caruana solidifying his lead. The remaining ten rounds will be critical for the other contenders to challenge Sindarov’s position. The Open section’s Round 4 results highlighted several key developments. Sindarov’s win over Caruana extended his lead, while Wei Yi and Hikaru Nakamura drew their game, keeping Nakamura at 1.5 points. Esipenko’s loss to Giri left him at 1 point, while Blübaum and Praggnanandhaa remained tied at 2 points. The standings after Round 4 showed Sindarov at the top, followed by Caruana, Praggnanandhaa, and Blübaum.#divya_deshmukh #fide_candidates_2026 #praggnanandhaa #javokhir_sindarov #zhu_jiner
