Sports news
#FIDE #Chess #Candidates #Sindarov #draws #Wei #clinch #title #Vaishali #holds #nerve #win #womens #section">FIDE Chess Candidates 2026: Sindarov draws with Wei Yi to clinch title; Vaishali holds nerve to win women’s section After 14 rounds of intense chess, Javokhir Sindarov finished the tournament with 10 points, having already clinched the title to earn the right to challenge D. Gukesh for the FIDE World Championship.
Sindarov secured six wins during the tournament, including victories over R. Praggnanandhaa in Rounds 3 and 10, Hikaru Nakamura in Round 5, and Fabiano Caruana in Round 4.
Anish Giri finished second with 8.5 points, with wins over Fabiano Caruana and R. Praggnanandhaa.
ALSO READ: R Vaishali becomes first Indian to win FIDE Women’s Candidates
Fabiano Caruana took third place with 7.5 points, while China’s Wei Yi finished fourth with seven points.
India’s R. Praggnanandhaa finished seventh with six points from 14 rounds.
Despite a valiant effort, Vaishali’s win pushed Bibisara Assaubayeva to second place with eight points, followed by Zhu Jiner with seven.
Anna Muzychuk finished fourth with 6.5 points, while India’s Divya Deshmukh ended seventh with 5.5 points. Her draw against Bibisara in Round 14 also played a crucial role in Vaishali securing the title.
Published on Apr 15, 2026
After 14 rounds of intense chess, Javokhir Sindarov finished the tournament with 10 points, having…
Sports news
#FIDE #Candidates #Vaishali #capitalises #Goryachkinas #error #extend #lead #Divya #holds #Zhu">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
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
India’s Grandmaster (GM) R Vaishali put herself in the driver’s seat to claim the FIDE…