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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. 

Published on Apr 15, 2026

#FIDE #Chess #Candidates #Live #Vaishali #takes #Lagno #eyes #title #womens #section #heads #final #day #drama"> FIDE Chess Candidates 2026 Live, Round 14: Vaishali takes on Lagno with eyes on title, women’s section heads for final day drama  
  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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            READ LATERWelcome 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 roundGrandmaster 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 moreApril 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 JinerAleksandra Goryachkina — Tan ZhongyiVaishali Rameshbabu — Kateryna LagnoDivya Deshmukh — Bibisara AssaubayevaApril 15, 2026 17:32
				Open section pairings for today 
			Andrey Esipenko — Fabiano CaruanaPraggnanandhaa R — Hikaru NakamuraMatthias Bluebaum — Anish GiriJavokhir Sindarov — Wei YiApril 15, 2026 17:31
				It is the final round! 
			Hello and welcome to Sportstar’s coverage of Round 14 of FIDE Candidates 2026. Published on Apr 15, 2026  #FIDE #Chess #Candidates #Live #Vaishali #takes #Lagno #eyes #title #womens #section #heads #final #day #drama
Sports news

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. 

Published on Apr 15, 2026

#FIDE #Chess #Candidates #Live #Vaishali #takes #Lagno #eyes #title #womens #section #heads #final #day #drama">FIDE Chess Candidates 2026 Live, Round 14: Vaishali takes on Lagno with eyes on title, women’s section heads for final day drama

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

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. 

Published on Apr 15, 2026

#FIDE #Chess #Candidates #Live #Vaishali #takes #Lagno #eyes #title #womens #section #heads #final #day #drama

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Sindarov maintained his grip on the position as Praggnanandhaa resigned in a lost position.

In the women’s section, R. Vaishali absorbed Anna Muzychuk’s kingside push with timely exchanges and central breaks, simplifying into a balanced endgame to secure a draw.

In the middlegame, Vaishali centralised her bishop and opened the kingside on her terms rather than defending passively.

Between 37. f5+ Kf7 and 38. Kf4 d5, she neutralised White’s pawn breaks while keeping her king safe.

Towards the end, the position was fully equalised, and any attempt to push would have risked overextension, as the game ended in a draw.

Published on Apr 09, 2026

#FIDE #Candidates #Tournament #Sindarov #punishes #Praggnanandhaas #slip #stay #clear #top #Vaishali #draws #Muzychuk"> FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026, Round 10: Sindarov punishes Praggnanandhaa’s slip to stay clear at the top; Vaishali draws with Muzychuk  Grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov returned to winning ways, completing a double over R. Praggnanandhaa to extend his sole lead in the Open section of the ongoing FIDE Candidates 2026 in Cyprus on Thursday.Anish Giri’s draw against Hikaru Nakamura helped Sindarov open up a two-point gap heading into the rest day on Friday.Praggnanandhaa started well, but a decisive error on move 22, when he played Bd7, proved costly. Instead of consolidating, the move allowed Sindarov to intensify pressure on the king and along the f-file.Sindarov capitalised immediately with 23. Rf7, a knockout blow that forced matters. He followed it up with a temporary exchange sacrifice to drag the Black king into the open.With 25. Qf4+ Kg7 and 28. Qxd7, Sindarov seized complete control, maintaining the initiative with a series of checks. He later activated his rooks, leaving Praggnanandhaa neutralised and without counterplay.ALSO READ: Check out updates from Round 10 of the ongoing FIDE Candidates 2026Sindarov maintained his grip on the position as Praggnanandhaa resigned in a lost position.In the women’s section, R. Vaishali absorbed Anna Muzychuk’s kingside push with timely exchanges and central breaks, simplifying into a balanced endgame to secure a draw.In the middlegame, Vaishali centralised her bishop and opened the kingside on her terms rather than defending passively.Between 37. f5+ Kf7 and 38. Kf4 d5, she neutralised White’s pawn breaks while keeping her king safe.Towards the end, the position was fully equalised, and any attempt to push would have risked overextension, as the game ended in a draw.Published on Apr 09, 2026  #FIDE #Candidates #Tournament #Sindarov #punishes #Praggnanandhaas #slip #stay #clear #top #Vaishali #draws #Muzychuk
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Check out updates from Round 10 of the ongoing FIDE Candidates 2026

Sindarov maintained his grip on the position as Praggnanandhaa resigned in a lost position.

In the women’s section, R. Vaishali absorbed Anna Muzychuk’s kingside push with timely exchanges and central breaks, simplifying into a balanced endgame to secure a draw.

In the middlegame, Vaishali centralised her bishop and opened the kingside on her terms rather than defending passively.

Between 37. f5+ Kf7 and 38. Kf4 d5, she neutralised White’s pawn breaks while keeping her king safe.

Towards the end, the position was fully equalised, and any attempt to push would have risked overextension, as the game ended in a draw.

Published on Apr 09, 2026

#FIDE #Candidates #Tournament #Sindarov #punishes #Praggnanandhaas #slip #stay #clear #top #Vaishali #draws #Muzychuk">FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026, Round 10: Sindarov punishes Praggnanandhaa’s slip to stay clear at the top; Vaishali draws with Muzychuk

Grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov returned to winning ways, completing a double over R. Praggnanandhaa to extend his sole lead in the Open section of the ongoing FIDE Candidates 2026 in Cyprus on Thursday.

Anish Giri’s draw against Hikaru Nakamura helped Sindarov open up a two-point gap heading into the rest day on Friday.

Praggnanandhaa started well, but a decisive error on move 22, when he played Bd7, proved costly. Instead of consolidating, the move allowed Sindarov to intensify pressure on the king and along the f-file.

Sindarov capitalised immediately with 23. Rf7, a knockout blow that forced matters. He followed it up with a temporary exchange sacrifice to drag the Black king into the open.

With 25. Qf4+ Kg7 and 28. Qxd7, Sindarov seized complete control, maintaining the initiative with a series of checks. He later activated his rooks, leaving Praggnanandhaa neutralised and without counterplay.

ALSO READ: Check out updates from Round 10 of the ongoing FIDE Candidates 2026

Sindarov maintained his grip on the position as Praggnanandhaa resigned in a lost position.

In the women’s section, R. Vaishali absorbed Anna Muzychuk’s kingside push with timely exchanges and central breaks, simplifying into a balanced endgame to secure a draw.

In the middlegame, Vaishali centralised her bishop and opened the kingside on her terms rather than defending passively.

Between 37. f5+ Kf7 and 38. Kf4 d5, she neutralised White’s pawn breaks while keeping her king safe.

Towards the end, the position was fully equalised, and any attempt to push would have risked overextension, as the game ended in a draw.

Published on Apr 09, 2026

#FIDE #Candidates #Tournament #Sindarov #punishes #Praggnanandhaas #slip #stay #clear #top #Vaishali #draws #Muzychuk

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