FIDE Candidates 2026: Vaishali capitalises on Goryachkina’s error to extend lead; Divya holds Zhu India’s Grandmaster (GM) R Vaishali put herself in the driver’s seat to claim the FIDE Candidates title in the women’s section after she beat Russia’s Aleksandra Goryachkina in Round 11 on Saturday.
Playing with black pieces, Vaishali kept the tie on balance into the middle game before capitalising on a blunder from her opponent (30. bishop c4) to take control of the game.
The win consolidated Vaishali’s position atop the standings as she moved to seven points.
GM Divya Deshmukh produced a solid, controlled performance against second-placed Zhu Jiner (6 points) to hold the Chinese GM to a draw, a result that helps Vaishali head into Round 12 with a clear one-point lead.
ALSO READ: Highlight from Round 11 of FIDE Candidates as it happened
Playing with the Black pieces, Divya neutralised Zhu’s bishop activity early in the game and traded queens at the right moment with 22. Ne8 followed by 23. Qxd2, reducing attacking chances and steering the game towards a draw.
Her pieces remained well coordinated, and the central break with 38. d5 and 39. Rxd5 ensured complete balance. Divya countered Zhu’s early initiative with measured play to secure the draw.
Divya now has five points, two behind leader Vaishali.
Anna Muzychuk is joint-second on the table with 6 points after a draw against Lagno Kateryna
Published on Apr 11, 2026
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India’s Grandmaster (GM) R Vaishali put herself in the driver’s seat to claim the FIDE Candidates title in the women’s section after she beat Russia’s Aleksandra Goryachkina in Round 11 on Saturday.
Playing with black pieces, Vaishali kept the tie on balance into the middle game before capitalising on a blunder from her opponent (30. bishop c4) to take control of the game.
The win consolidated Vaishali’s position atop the standings as she moved to seven points.
GM Divya Deshmukh produced a solid, controlled performance against second-placed Zhu Jiner (6 points) to hold the Chinese GM to a draw, a result that helps Vaishali head into Round 12 with a clear one-point lead.
ALSO READ: Highlight from Round 11 of FIDE Candidates as it happened
Playing with the Black pieces, Divya neutralised Zhu’s bishop activity early in the game and traded queens at the right moment with 22. Ne8 followed by 23. Qxd2, reducing attacking chances and steering the game towards a draw.
Her pieces remained well coordinated, and the central break with 38. d5 and 39. Rxd5 ensured complete balance. Divya countered Zhu’s early initiative with measured play to secure the draw.
Divya now has five points, two behind leader Vaishali.
Anna Muzychuk is joint-second on the table with 6 points after a draw against Lagno Kateryna
Published on Apr 11, 2026

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