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#Vaishalihas #worked #hard #confident #coach #Ramesh">Vaishali has worked hard, is confident now: coach Ramesh Making history is probably easy for R. Vaishali and her brother Praggnanandhaa.
The siblings have achieved a few firsts as a duo and individually — the first to become Grandmasters and qualifying for the Candidates tournament.
The 24-year-old Vaishali, long in the shadow of her prodigiously talented brother, chose to make some history of her own after winning the women’s Candidates tournament on Wednesday, becoming the first Indian to do so.
She had endured a lean run in 2025 before finding form to claim the Grand Swiss title and book a spot in the Candidates. Following an epochal triumph in Cyprus, she will take on reigning champion Ju Wenjun of China for the Women’s World Chess Championship title later this year.
Vaishali’s long-time coach , R.B. Ramesh, is over the moon and told Sportstar, “Qualifying for the World Championship match is an amazing thing and I hope she’ll be able to win the title.”
Speaking about the Chennai GM’s loss of confidence last year, he said, “Yeah, she had some confidence issues earlier, especially after the Chennai GM tournament (last year), but she has been working hard on her game and is feeling much more confident now.”
The manner in which Vaishali played during the triumph in the Cypriot city of Paphos should stand her in good stead going forward. Often flying under the radar given her sibling’s achievements, Ramesh said, “Pragg and Vaishali have made peace with each other being very strong on their own terms. I don’t think Pragg’s performances have any negative impact on Vaishali anymore.”
He said Vaishali is very strong in attack and calculation skills and added, “Wish she can improve her time management a bit.”
Ramesh believes his ward has benefitted a lot from the support she gets from her family and feels she has a good chance at the World title.
More history beckons when Vaishali faces the Chinese with the prospect of becoming the first-ever Indian woman to win the World title.
Published on Apr 17, 2026
Making history is probably easy for R. Vaishali and her brother Praggnanandhaa.The siblings have achieved a few firsts…
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#FIDE #Candidates #tiebreaker #format #womens #category">FIDE Candidates 2026: What is the tie-breaker format in women’s category?
The FIDE Candidates 2026 is advancing to its final stages, and the women’s category in particular has been tightly contested.
Ahead of Round 11 which will happen on Saturday, April 11, India’s R Vaishali holds a slender lead of 0.5 up top with six points followed by China’s Zhu Jiner and Ukraine’s Anna Muzychuk who are both tied for second place with 5.5 points.
Points table: Women’s Category (Updated until Round 10)
1. R. Vaishali – 6
2. Zhu Jiner – 5.5
2. Anna Muzychuk – 5.5
4. Aleksandra Goryachkina – 5
4. Bibisara Assaubayeva – 5
4. Kateryna Lagno – 5
7. Divya Deshmukh – 4.5
8. Tan Zhongyi – 3.5
Here are the Tie-Breaker regulations for the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026
Tie-Breaker Regulations
If there is a tie for first place after 14 rounds, a playoff to determine the winner shall be played. The play-off may consist of up to three stages.
Stage 1:
a) If there are 2 players tied, after a drawing for colors made on the day of Round 14, a match of two games shall be played with a time control of 15 minutes for each player + 10 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1.
b) If there are between 3 and 6 players (inclusive) tied, after pairings made on the day of Round 14, a single round robin tournament shall be played with a time control of 15 minutes for each player + 10 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1.
c) If there are either 7 or 8 players tied, after pairings made on the day of Round 14, a single round robin tournament shall be played with a time control of 10 minutes for each player + 5 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1.
Stage 2: Played among players who remain tied for first place after Stage 1
a) If there are 2 players tied, after a drawing for colors, a match of two games shall be played with a time control of 3 minutes for each player + 2 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1.
b) If there are more than 2 players tied, after new pairings, a single round robin tournament shall be played with a time control of 3 minutes for each player + 2 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1.
Stage 3: Played among players who remain tied for first place after Stage 2
a) A knockout tournament shall be played. If there are more than two players, the knockout bracket shall be determined by drawing of lots. Each match shall consist of one game played with a time control of 3 minutes for each player + 2 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1. The colours for the game shall be determined by a drawing of lots.
b) If the game in clause a) is drawn, another game shall be played with the colors reversed with a time control of 3 minutes for each player + 2 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1.
c) If the game in clause b) is drawn, then one sudden death game shall be played.
Sudden Death Regulations
• White will have 4 minutes + 2 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1.
• Both players will submit a time bid – specifying how much starting time they are willing to play with as Black, also with a 2-second increment per move, starting from move 1. A bid cannot be more than 4 minutes. The player who submits the lowest time wins the bid and plays with Black. If the players make exactly the same bid, Black starts with that amount of time; colors will be determined by drawing of lots.
• If the sudden death game is drawn, Black will win the match.
Tie-Breaker Regulations for other positions
If a playoff for first place is played, ties for all positions except for first place shall be broken according to the following criteria, in order of priority:
a) The later round reached in Stage III of the playoff .
b) The higher number of points scored in Stage II of the playoff.
c) The higher number of points scored in Stage I of the playoff.
If there is no tie for first place after 14 rounds, ties for all positions shall be broken according to the following criteria, in order of priority:
a) Sonneborn-Berger System.
b) Total number of wins in the tournament.
c) The results of the games between the players involved in the tie.
d) Drawing of lots.
Published on Apr 13, 2026
Points table: Women’s Category (Updated until Round 10)
1. R. Vaishali – 6
2. Zhu Jiner – 5.5
2. Anna Muzychuk – 5.5
4. Aleksandra Goryachkina – 5
4. Bibisara Assaubayeva – 5
4. Kateryna Lagno – 5
7. Divya Deshmukh – 4.5
8. Tan Zhongyi – 3.5
Tie-Breaker Regulations
If there is a tie for first place after 14 rounds, a playoff to determine the winner shall be played. The play-off may consist of up to three stages.
Stage 1:
a) If there are 2 players tied, after a drawing for colors made on the day of Round 14, a match of two games shall be played with a time control of 15 minutes for each player + 10 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1.
b) If there are between 3 and 6 players (inclusive) tied, after pairings made on the day of Round 14, a single round robin tournament shall be played with a time control of 15 minutes for each player + 10 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1.
c) If there are either 7 or 8 players tied, after pairings made on the day of Round 14, a single round robin tournament shall be played with a time control of 10 minutes for each player + 5 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1.
Stage 2: Played among players who remain tied for first place after Stage 1
a) If there are 2 players tied, after a drawing for colors, a match of two games shall be played with a time control of 3 minutes for each player + 2 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1.
b) If there are more than 2 players tied, after new pairings, a single round robin tournament shall be played with a time control of 3 minutes for each player + 2 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1.
Stage 3: Played among players who remain tied for first place after Stage 2
a) A knockout tournament shall be played. If there are more than two players, the knockout bracket shall be determined by drawing of lots. Each match shall consist of one game played with a time control of 3 minutes for each player + 2 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1. The colours for the game shall be determined by a drawing of lots.
b) If the game in clause a) is drawn, another game shall be played with the colors reversed with a time control of 3 minutes for each player + 2 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1.
c) If the game in clause b) is drawn, then one sudden death game shall be played.
Sudden Death Regulations
• White will have 4 minutes + 2 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1.
• Both players will submit a time bid – specifying how much starting time they are willing to play with as Black, also with a 2-second increment per move, starting from move 1. A bid cannot be more than 4 minutes. The player who submits the lowest time wins the bid and plays with Black. If the players make exactly the same bid, Black starts with that amount of time; colors will be determined by drawing of lots.
• If the sudden death game is drawn, Black will win the match.
Tie-Breaker Regulations for other positions
If a playoff for first place is played, ties for all positions except for first place shall be broken according to the following criteria, in order of priority:
a) The later round reached in Stage III of the playoff .
b) The higher number of points scored in Stage II of the playoff.
c) The higher number of points scored in Stage I of the playoff.
If there is no tie for first place after 14 rounds, ties for all positions shall be broken according to the following criteria, in order of priority:
a) Sonneborn-Berger System.
b) Total number of wins in the tournament.
c) The results of the games between the players involved in the tie.
d) Drawing of lots.
The FIDE Candidates 2026 is advancing to its final stages, and the women’s category in particular has been tightly contested.
Ahead of Round 11 which will happen on Saturday, April 11, India’s R Vaishali holds a slender lead of 0.5 up top with six points followed by China’s Zhu Jiner and Ukraine’s Anna Muzychuk who are both tied for second place with 5.5 points.
Points table: Women’s Category (Updated until Round 10)
1. R. Vaishali – 6
2. Zhu Jiner – 5.5
2. Anna Muzychuk – 5.5
4. Aleksandra Goryachkina – 5
4. Bibisara Assaubayeva – 5
4. Kateryna Lagno – 5
7. Divya Deshmukh – 4.5
8. Tan Zhongyi – 3.5
Here are the Tie-Breaker regulations for the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026
Tie-Breaker Regulations
If there is a tie for first place after 14 rounds, a playoff to determine the winner shall be played. The play-off may consist of up to three stages.
Stage 1:
a) If there are 2 players tied, after a drawing for colors made on the day of Round 14, a match of two games shall be played with a time control of 15 minutes for each player + 10 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1.
b) If there are between 3 and 6 players (inclusive) tied, after pairings made on the day of Round 14, a single round robin tournament shall be played with a time control of 15 minutes for each player + 10 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1.
c) If there are either 7 or 8 players tied, after pairings made on the day of Round 14, a single round robin tournament shall be played with a time control of 10 minutes for each player + 5 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1.
Stage 2: Played among players who remain tied for first place after Stage 1
a) If there are 2 players tied, after a drawing for colors, a match of two games shall be played with a time control of 3 minutes for each player + 2 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1.
b) If there are more than 2 players tied, after new pairings, a single round robin tournament shall be played with a time control of 3 minutes for each player + 2 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1.
Stage 3: Played among players who remain tied for first place after Stage 2
a) A knockout tournament shall be played. If there are more than two players, the knockout bracket shall be determined by drawing of lots. Each match shall consist of one game played with a time control of 3 minutes for each player + 2 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1. The colours for the game shall be determined by a drawing of lots.
b) If the game in clause a) is drawn, another game shall be played with the colors reversed with a time control of 3 minutes for each player + 2 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1.
c) If the game in clause b) is drawn, then one sudden death game shall be played.
Sudden Death Regulations
• White will have 4 minutes + 2 seconds increment per move, starting from move 1.
• Both players will submit a time bid – specifying how much starting time they are willing to play with as Black, also with a 2-second increment per move, starting from move 1. A bid cannot be more than 4 minutes. The player who submits the lowest time wins the bid and plays with Black. If the players make exactly the same bid, Black starts with that amount of time; colors will be determined by drawing of lots.
• If the sudden death game is drawn, Black will win the match.
Tie-Breaker Regulations for other positions
If a playoff for first place is played, ties for all positions except for first place shall be broken according to the following criteria, in order of priority:
a) The later round reached in Stage III of the playoff .
b) The higher number of points scored in Stage II of the playoff.
c) The higher number of points scored in Stage I of the playoff.
If there is no tie for first place after 14 rounds, ties for all positions shall be broken according to the following criteria, in order of priority:
a) Sonneborn-Berger System.
b) Total number of wins in the tournament.
c) The results of the games between the players involved in the tie.
d) Drawing of lots.
Published on Apr 13, 2026
The FIDE Candidates 2026 is advancing to its final stages, and the women’s category in…
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#FIDE #Candidates #Indians #action #Vaishali #Divya #Praggnanandhaa #stand">FIDE Candidates 2026, Indians in action: Where do Vaishali, Divya, Praggnanandhaa stand before Round 11?
The Indian contingent has had a mixed bag of results in the Round 10 of the FIDE Candidates 2026 tournament, happening in Cyprus.
Vaishali (Black) secured a draw with Ukraine’s Anna Muzychuk, taking her tally to six points and consolidating her position at the top of the table in the women’s category. Meanwhile, Divya (White) lost to Russia’s Aleksandra Goryachkina to drop to second-last in the standings.
In the open category, Praggnanandhaa (Black) lost to the table-topper Javokhir Sindarov from Uzbekistan, remaining in seventh place in the points table with four points.
Here are the remaining fixtures for the Indian players in the FIDE Candidates 2026.
Remaining FIDE Candidates 2026 fixtures for Indian players
Round 11 (April 11)
R. Praggnanandhaa (White) vs. Matthias Bluebaum
R. Vaishali (Black) vs. Aleksandra Goryachkina
Divya Deshmukh (Black) vs. Zhu Jiner
Round 12 (April 12)
R. Praggnanandhaa (Black) vs. Andrey Esipenko
R. Vaishali (White) vs. Zhu Jiner
Divya Deshmukh (White) vs. Tan Zhongyi
Round 13 (April 14)
R. Praggnanandhaa (Black) vs. Fabiano Caruana
Divya Deshmukh (Black) vs. Kateryna Lagno
R. Vaishali (Black) vs. Tan Zhongyi
Round 14 (April 15)
R. Praggnanandhaa (White) vs. Hikaru Nakamura
R. Vaishali (White) vs. Kateryna Lagno
Divya Deshmukh (White) vs. Bibisara Assaubayeva
Where to watch the FIDE Candidates 2026?
You can catch the Indian players live in action at the FIDE Candidates 2026 on the FIDE YouTube channel.
Published on Apr 10, 2026
Remaining FIDE Candidates 2026 fixtures for Indian players
Round 11 (April 11)
R. Praggnanandhaa (White) vs. Matthias Bluebaum
R. Vaishali (Black) vs. Aleksandra Goryachkina
Divya Deshmukh (Black) vs. Zhu Jiner
Round 12 (April 12)
R. Praggnanandhaa (Black) vs. Andrey Esipenko
R. Vaishali (White) vs. Zhu Jiner
Divya Deshmukh (White) vs. Tan Zhongyi
Round 13 (April 14)
R. Praggnanandhaa (Black) vs. Fabiano Caruana
Divya Deshmukh (Black) vs. Kateryna Lagno
R. Vaishali (Black) vs. Tan Zhongyi
Round 14 (April 15)
R. Praggnanandhaa (White) vs. Hikaru Nakamura
R. Vaishali (White) vs. Kateryna Lagno
Divya Deshmukh (White) vs. Bibisara Assaubayeva
Where to watch the FIDE Candidates 2026?
You can catch the Indian players live in action at the FIDE Candidates 2026 on the FIDE YouTube channel.
The Indian contingent has had a mixed bag of results in the Round 10 of the FIDE Candidates 2026 tournament, happening in Cyprus.
Vaishali (Black) secured a draw with Ukraine’s Anna Muzychuk, taking her tally to six points and consolidating her position at the top of the table in the women’s category. Meanwhile, Divya (White) lost to Russia’s Aleksandra Goryachkina to drop to second-last in the standings.
In the open category, Praggnanandhaa (Black) lost to the table-topper Javokhir Sindarov from Uzbekistan, remaining in seventh place in the points table with four points.
Here are the remaining fixtures for the Indian players in the FIDE Candidates 2026.
Remaining FIDE Candidates 2026 fixtures for Indian players
Round 11 (April 11)
R. Praggnanandhaa (White) vs. Matthias Bluebaum
R. Vaishali (Black) vs. Aleksandra Goryachkina
Divya Deshmukh (Black) vs. Zhu Jiner
Round 12 (April 12)
R. Praggnanandhaa (Black) vs. Andrey Esipenko
R. Vaishali (White) vs. Zhu Jiner
Divya Deshmukh (White) vs. Tan Zhongyi
Round 13 (April 14)
R. Praggnanandhaa (Black) vs. Fabiano Caruana
Divya Deshmukh (Black) vs. Kateryna Lagno
R. Vaishali (Black) vs. Tan Zhongyi
Round 14 (April 15)
R. Praggnanandhaa (White) vs. Hikaru Nakamura
R. Vaishali (White) vs. Kateryna Lagno
Divya Deshmukh (White) vs. Bibisara Assaubayeva
Where to watch the FIDE Candidates 2026?
You can catch the Indian players live in action at the FIDE Candidates 2026 on the FIDE YouTube channel.
Published on Apr 10, 2026
The Indian contingent has had a mixed bag of results in the Round 10 of…
