Welcome to Sportstar’s coverage of the fourteenth round of the FIDE Candidates 2026 tournament happening in Cyprus on Wednesday.
R Praggnanandhaa (White) vs Hikaru Nakamura (Black)
R Vaishali (White) vs Lagno Kateryna (Black)
Divya Deshmukh (White) vs Bibisara Assaubayeva (Black)
April 15, 2026 17:59
Does Zhu Jiner have a chance
Anna Muzychuk, who entered the tournament as a replacement for Koneru Humpy, will take on Zhu Jiner, who is in title contention.
April 15, 2026 17:51
Will Sindarov’s help propel Bibisara to the World Title
April 15, 2026 17:48
Vishy Anand’s pick
In a video posted by FIDE, five-time World Champion, GM Viswanathan Anand was seen picking D Gukesh over Javokhir Sindarov for the World Chess Championship title.
April 15, 2026 17:46
FIDE Grand Swiss 2027 will take place in Isle of Man
April 15, 2026 17:44
Divya Deshmukh vs Bibisara
Divya takes on Bibisara and aims for a victory to end her campaign on a good note, and her win could also help Vaishali win the title today.
April 15, 2026 17:41
Read how Vaishali can win the title today
R Vaishali in FIDE Women’s Candidates 2026: Full title scenarios explained ahead of final round
Grandmaster R Vaishali is within reach of becoming the first Indian to win the FIDE Women’s Candidates title, heading into the final round on Wednesday.
April 15, 2026 17:35
Tiebreaks if needed tomorrow
If both Vaishali and Assaubayeva win their respective matches, they will head to a playoff tiebreaker on Thursday. Click here to read more
April 15, 2026 17:34
Big day for R Vaishali
If Vaishali beats Lagno Kateryna and Bibisara Assaubayeva draws or loses, Vaishali wins the tournament and will become the first Indian to win the women’s section.
April 15, 2026 17:32
Women’s section pairings for today
Anna Muzychuk — Zhu Jiner Aleksandra Goryachkina — Tan Zhongyi Vaishali Rameshbabu — Kateryna Lagno Divya Deshmukh — Bibisara Assaubayeva
April 15, 2026 17:32
Open section pairings for today
Andrey Esipenko — Fabiano Caruana Praggnanandhaa R — Hikaru Nakamura Matthias Bluebaum — Anish Giri Javokhir Sindarov — Wei Yi
April 15, 2026 17:31
It is the final round!
Hello and welcome to Sportstar’s coverage of Round 14 of FIDE Candidates 2026.
FIDE Candidates 2026: Check out all Live updates from Round 14 of the Candidates tournament happening in Cyprus on Wednesday.
Updated : Apr 15, 2026 17:59 IST
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Welcome to Sportstar’s coverage of the fourteenth round of the FIDE Candidates 2026 tournament happening in Cyprus on Wednesday.
R Praggnanandhaa (White) vs Hikaru Nakamura (Black)
R Vaishali (White) vs Lagno Kateryna (Black)
Divya Deshmukh (White) vs Bibisara Assaubayeva (Black)
April 15, 2026 17:59
Does Zhu Jiner have a chance
Anna Muzychuk, who entered the tournament as a replacement for Koneru Humpy, will take on Zhu Jiner, who is in title contention.
April 15, 2026 17:51
Will Sindarov’s help propel Bibisara to the World Title
April 15, 2026 17:48
Vishy Anand’s pick
In a video posted by FIDE, five-time World Champion, GM Viswanathan Anand was seen picking D Gukesh over Javokhir Sindarov for the World Chess Championship title.
April 15, 2026 17:46
FIDE Grand Swiss 2027 will take place in Isle of Man
April 15, 2026 17:44
Divya Deshmukh vs Bibisara
Divya takes on Bibisara and aims for a victory to end her campaign on a good note, and her win could also help Vaishali win the title today.
April 15, 2026 17:41
Read how Vaishali can win the title today
R Vaishali in FIDE Women’s Candidates 2026: Full title scenarios explained ahead of final round
Grandmaster R Vaishali is within reach of becoming the first Indian to win the FIDE Women’s Candidates title, heading into the final round on Wednesday.
April 15, 2026 17:35
Tiebreaks if needed tomorrow
If both Vaishali and Assaubayeva win their respective matches, they will head to a playoff tiebreaker on Thursday. Click here to read more
April 15, 2026 17:34
Big day for R Vaishali
If Vaishali beats Lagno Kateryna and Bibisara Assaubayeva draws or loses, Vaishali wins the tournament and will become the first Indian to win the women’s section.
April 15, 2026 17:32
Women’s section pairings for today
Anna Muzychuk — Zhu Jiner Aleksandra Goryachkina — Tan Zhongyi Vaishali Rameshbabu — Kateryna Lagno Divya Deshmukh — Bibisara Assaubayeva
April 15, 2026 17:32
Open section pairings for today
Andrey Esipenko — Fabiano Caruana Praggnanandhaa R — Hikaru Nakamura Matthias Bluebaum — Anish Giri Javokhir Sindarov — Wei Yi
April 15, 2026 17:31
It is the final round!
Hello and welcome to Sportstar’s coverage of Round 14 of FIDE Candidates 2026.
#IPL #Virat #Kohli #update #injury #RCBs #win #LSG">IPL 2026: Virat Kohli gives update on his injury following RCB’s win over LSG
Virat Kohli on Wednesday said he was satisfied with his intensity and approach despite not being at full fitness as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) registered a comfortable five-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match here.
Kohli struck a 34-ball 49 to set up RCB’s chase of 146, which it completed in just over 15 overs.
“Much better than the last game. I’m still not 100 per cent. My knee was a bit sore last game. Even health-wise, I’ve been under the weather for four or five days now. So, just getting back up to my best,” Kohli said after the match.
The former India captain was seen training with his left knee heavily strapped ahead of the game at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Kohli hit six fours and a six to take his tally to 228 runs in the tournament at an average of 57, claiming the Orange Cap.
“I started off well today, so I was happy with my intensity. Again, would have liked to carry on and finish the game off. Sometimes, you have to take the conditions into account as well.
“The pitch slowed down considerably, and I just wanted to probably keep going in the same manner. But, yeah, in the end, should have probably finished that one off as well.”
RCB skipper Rajat Patidar continued his aggressive form with a 13-ball 27, earning praise from Kohli for his clarity and intent.
“We have our KPIs as a batting unit, and it says Rajat (Patidar) to go in and assess the situation. I always tell him, you’re probably looking to assess the bowler’s heart rate rather than the situation… I mean, incredible clarity,” the former India captain said.
“The way our management has stacked up the team allows us to play in a certain way. I have to adapt my role accordingly. It allows me to play a certain way up front with Salty (Phil Salt), so we pass on the baton nicely.
“The freedom of having Romario (Shepherd) and Tim (David)… KP (Krunal Pandya)hasn’t even batted yet. We’re sitting on a batting unit that’s explosive and getting the job done. It looks intimidating if you have Romario and Tim walking in, even after five down. These guys can get you 50 runs in four overs… that gives all of us a lot of freedom.”
Reflecting on the changing demands of T20 cricket, Kohli said adaptability will be crucial as the tournament progresses.
“Well, it depends on the situation and the condition as well for me. Not all games are going to be 230, 240…the demands of the modern game are pretty different, but you always have to keep an eye out on the situation and when people play under pressure,” he said.
#Las #Vegas #Aces #star #Aja #Wilson #signs #biggest #deal #WNBA #history">Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson signs biggest deal in WNBA history
Women’s basketball star A’ja Wilson has signed a record-breaking new contract with the Las Vegas Aces worth nearly USD 5 million over three years, the American media reported Wednesday.
The three-time WNBA champion and four-time Most Valuable Player’s new deal would be the most lucrative in the rapidly growing league’s history.
“A’ja is truly one of one, who has led this franchise to where it is today,” president and GM Nikki Fargas said in a statement.
“Not only has she catapulted into the history books and surpassed almost every record in existence, but she does so with the utmost confidence, authenticity and grace. We look forward to continuing to see her thrive in an Aces uniform.”
A’ja Wilson is coming off one of the most decorated seasons in WNBA history, earning the MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, Finals MVP and leading the league in scoring in the same season.
ESPN reported that the 29-year-old’s contract was a “USD 5 million supermax contract,” citing anonymous sources, while The Athletic reported the deal would potentially reach “more than USD 4.7 million with maximum raises”.
Wilson earned USD 200,000 last season.
But the North American women’s basketball league is enjoying a surge in popularity, with increased attendances and a USD 2.2 billion 11-year broadcast deal driving up salaries.
A lengthy standoff between the players’ union and league was resolved last month with a “groundbreaking” seven-year labour deal.
It means the salary cap will skyrocket from USD 1.5 million to USD 7 million in 2026, and will adjust annually based on league and team revenue growth.
The new WNBA season is set to tip off on May 8, with the addition of two new teams — Portland and Toronto — bringing the total number of franchises to 15.
#Deadspin #Shohei #Ohtani #fans #Dodgers #complete #sweep #Mets">Deadspin | Shohei Ohtani fans 10 as Dodgers complete sweep of Mets
Apr 15, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani pitches against the New York Mets in the first inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Shohei Ohtani struck out 10 in six innings, Dalton Rushing hit a grand slam and the Los Angeles Dodgers pulled off a series sweep with an 8-2 victory over the visiting Mets on Wednesday, sending New York to its eighth consecutive loss.
Hyeseong Kim, Teoscar Hernandez and Kyle Tucker also hit home runs for the Dodgers, who improved to 10-2 since April 3 and 14-4 on the season.
Ohtani (2-0) gave up one run, two hits and two walks on a rare pitching outing when he was not also used as a hitter. The Dodgers reduced Ohtani’s workload after he was hit in the right shoulder by a pitch on Monday, and they turned to Rushing as the designated hitter.
It was the first time Ohtani did not hit on the same day he pitched since May 2021 as a member of the Los Angeles Angels.
MJ Melendez had two doubles with an RBI and Clay Holmes (2-2) gave up two runs over five innings for the Mets, who were held to three runs in the three-game series. Francisco Lindor, Luis Robert Jr. and Brett Baty each went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts at the top of the New York order.
Rushing doubled with two outs in the second inning ahead of Kim’s home run, which dropped just over the wall in right. It was the first of the season for Kim, who is getting playing time with Mookie Betts on the injured list.
The Mets broke through in the fifth after walks to Francisco Alvarez and Marcus Semien. Melendez followed with an RBI ground-rule double, cutting the deficit to 2-1. The run ended Ohtani’s 16-inning streak without an earned run to start the season.
Ohtani closed out his outing by striking out the side in the sixth inning.
Hernandez made it 3-1 with a leadoff home run to right field in the bottom of the sixth against Tobias Myers, his fourth.
Blake Treinen and Tanner Scott each pitched scoreless innings to protect the lead, and the Dodgers unloaded with a five-run eighth on Rushing’s grand slam, his fourth homer, and a solo shot from Tucker, his second.
Semien had an RBI single for the Mets in the ninth.
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