Welcome to Sportstar’s coverage of the twelfth round of the FIDE Candidates 2026 tournament happening in Cyprus on Saturday.
R Praggnanandhaa (Black) vs Andrey Esipenko (White) – R 12 Board
R Vaishali (White) vs Zhu Jiner (Black) – R 12 Board
Divya Deshmukh (White) vs Tan Zhongyi (Black) – R 12 Board
April 12, 2026 17:49
Hikaru Nakamura records second-longest move in FIDE Candidates history
Hikaru Nakamura records second-longest move in FIDE Candidates history during loss vs Javokhir Sindarov
American GM Hikaru Nakamura spent over one hour to make a move during a FIDE Candidates 2026 match against Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov on Friday in Cyprus.
April 12, 2026 17:49
Sindarov leads the open section
Sindarov and Nakamura’s clash earlier in the tournament would be remembered for Nakamura taking more than an hour to make a move, a record in itself. It’d be interesting to see whether the Uzbekistan GM bags another victory that almost wins him the Candidates title or whether Nakamura pulls off an upset.
April 12, 2026 17:46
Can Divya pick a win tonight
Divya Deshmukh is placed seventh in the standings and will face Tan Zhongyi, against whom she had drawn earlier in the tournament.
April 12, 2026 17:37
Earlier in the tournament
Zhu Jiner defeated Vaishali in Round five. Today, Vaishali will play with the White pieces, looking to consolidate her lead heading into the rest day tomorrow.
April 12, 2026 17:36
Important match for Vaishali today
R Vaishali leads the tournament with 7/11 points after a Round 11 victory over Aleksandra Goryachkina yesterday, holding a one-point advantage over the chasing pack, which includes today’s opponent, Zhu Jiner.
April 12, 2026 17:34
Women’s section pairings for today
Anna Muzychuk — Aleksandra Goryachkina Vaishali Rameshbabu — Zhu Jiner Divya Deshmukh — Tan Zhongyi Bibisara Assaubayeva — Kateryna Lagno
April 12, 2026 17:34
Open section pairings for Round 12 today
Andrey Esipenko — Praggnanandhaa R Matthias Bluebaum — Fabiano Caruana Javokhir Sindarov — Hikaru Nakamura Wei Yi — Anish Giri
April 12, 2026 17:33
It is Round 12 today
Hello and welcome to Sportstar’s coverage of the FIDE Candidates 2026 taking place in Cyprus.
FIDE Candidates 2026: Check out all live updates from Round 12 of the Candidates tournament happening in Cyprus on Sunday.
Updated : Apr 12, 2026 17:49 IST
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Welcome to Sportstar’s coverage of the twelfth round of the FIDE Candidates 2026 tournament happening in Cyprus on Saturday.
R Praggnanandhaa (Black) vs Andrey Esipenko (White) – R 12 Board
R Vaishali (White) vs Zhu Jiner (Black) – R 12 Board
Divya Deshmukh (White) vs Tan Zhongyi (Black) – R 12 Board
April 12, 2026 17:49
Hikaru Nakamura records second-longest move in FIDE Candidates history
Hikaru Nakamura records second-longest move in FIDE Candidates history during loss vs Javokhir Sindarov
American GM Hikaru Nakamura spent over one hour to make a move during a FIDE Candidates 2026 match against Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov on Friday in Cyprus.
April 12, 2026 17:49
Sindarov leads the open section
Sindarov and Nakamura’s clash earlier in the tournament would be remembered for Nakamura taking more than an hour to make a move, a record in itself. It’d be interesting to see whether the Uzbekistan GM bags another victory that almost wins him the Candidates title or whether Nakamura pulls off an upset.
April 12, 2026 17:46
Can Divya pick a win tonight
Divya Deshmukh is placed seventh in the standings and will face Tan Zhongyi, against whom she had drawn earlier in the tournament.
April 12, 2026 17:37
Earlier in the tournament
Zhu Jiner defeated Vaishali in Round five. Today, Vaishali will play with the White pieces, looking to consolidate her lead heading into the rest day tomorrow.
April 12, 2026 17:36
Important match for Vaishali today
R Vaishali leads the tournament with 7/11 points after a Round 11 victory over Aleksandra Goryachkina yesterday, holding a one-point advantage over the chasing pack, which includes today’s opponent, Zhu Jiner.
April 12, 2026 17:34
Women’s section pairings for today
Anna Muzychuk — Aleksandra Goryachkina Vaishali Rameshbabu — Zhu Jiner Divya Deshmukh — Tan Zhongyi Bibisara Assaubayeva — Kateryna Lagno
April 12, 2026 17:34
Open section pairings for Round 12 today
Andrey Esipenko — Praggnanandhaa R Matthias Bluebaum — Fabiano Caruana Javokhir Sindarov — Hikaru Nakamura Wei Yi — Anish Giri
April 12, 2026 17:33
It is Round 12 today
Hello and welcome to Sportstar’s coverage of the FIDE Candidates 2026 taking place in Cyprus.
#Deadspin #Earthquakes #sign #Preston #Judd #extension">Deadspin | Earthquakes sign F Preston Judd to extension
May 23, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; San Jose Earthquakes forward Preston Judd (19) tries to fight through hands of Portland Timbers defender Kamal Miller (4) during the second half at Providence Park. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn Images
Forward Preston Judd signed a new contract with the San Jose Earthquakes through the 2028-29 Major League Soccer season on Tuesday, with a club option for 2029-30.
“It feels great to re-sign with San Jose and commit to the Earthquakes for the foreseeable future,” Judd said in a statement. “Getting an opportunity to be in an environment where people believe in me, from the coaches to my teammates, and of course, the fans, has allowed me to grow as a player during my time here. Now, I’m eager to make more memories with the Quakes for years to come.”
Judd has a career-high 11 goals and two assists through 15 games (14 starts) with the Quakes this season. His 11 goals lead all American players and are tied for fourth in MLS. He is also near the top of the league in many offensive categories, including goals scored in the run of play (11, tied for first), expected goals (10.23, third), headed goals (two, tied for third) and shots on goal (27, third).
The 27-year-old scored in a club-record-tying four consecutive road games to close out the first half.
“We are pleased to re-sign Preston Judd,” Earthquakes head coach and sporting director Bruce Arena said in a statement. “He has made very good progress over the past year and a half and has had an impressive goal-scoring record. We look forward to his continued progress and contributions to the San Jose Earthquakes. He is most deserving of a new contract.”
Judd has earned three MLS Team of the Matchday honors this season, most recently on Matchday 15, when he scored twice during San Jose’s first road win over Portland in MLS play.
He also scored twice during Matchday 9 to claim the recognition, and assisted on a Niko Tsakiris goal and later scored one of his own during the Quakes’ win over San Diego FC on Matchday 6.
Haaland reportedly purchased the taxidermied raccoon in Texas, because that is an appropriate place to find a stuffed raccoon posed in such a way that it can hold a bottle of vodka with its little hands. The piece of folk art came from Wild Bill’s Western Store, costing Haaland a smooth $750 — which is a bargain for a new friend. Now Haaland is trying to solicit the internet to name his new buddy, and the options are pretty great.
There is only one correct option, obviously: ROW. Now only does it honor the Norwegian fans during the World Cup who rowed their raw around stadiums and across cities, but also “Raccoon on Wheels” is one of the greatest statements I have ever heard.
This was a transformative World Cup for Haaland. He went from being a brilliant but largely misunderstood player — and walked away being one of the most beloved athletes on the planet.
Haaland reportedly purchased the taxidermied raccoon in Texas, because that is an appropriate place to find a stuffed raccoon posed in such a way that it can hold a bottle of vodka with its little hands. The piece of folk art came from Wild Bill’s Western Store, costing Haaland a smooth $750 — which is a bargain for a new friend. Now Haaland is trying to solicit the internet to name his new buddy, and the options are pretty great.
There is only one correct option, obviously: ROW. Now only does it honor the Norwegian fans during the World Cup who rowed their raw around stadiums and across cities, but also “Raccoon on Wheels” is one of the greatest statements I have ever heard.
This was a transformative World Cup for Haaland. He went from being a brilliant but largely misunderstood player — and walked away being one of the most beloved athletes on the planet.
#Erling #Haaland #brought #stuffed #raccoon #bottle #holder #Norway">Erling Haaland brought a stuffed raccoon bottle holder back to Norway
It’s safe to say that Norway became a lot of people’s favorite team after the USMNT’s elimination from the World Cup. Superstar striker Erling Haaland was a huge part of that, as the giant enjoyed being in the United States for the Cup, soaking up the sights, sounds, and experiences. That also involved falling in love with a dead, stuffed raccoon posed to hold a liquor bottle that he brought home, and now
Haaland reportedly purchased the taxidermied raccoon in Texas, because that is an appropriate place to find a stuffed raccoon posed in such a way that it can hold a bottle of vodka with its little hands. The piece of folk art came from Wild Bill’s Western Store, costing Haaland a smooth $750 — which is a bargain for a new friend. Now Haaland is trying to solicit the internet to name his new buddy, and the options are pretty great.
There is only one correct option, obviously: ROW. Now only does it honor the Norwegian fans during the World Cup who rowed their raw around stadiums and across cities, but also “Raccoon on Wheels” is one of the greatest statements I have ever heard.
This was a transformative World Cup for Haaland. He went from being a brilliant but largely misunderstood player — and walked away being one of the most beloved athletes on the planet.
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