Round 10 Highlights: Sindarov Dominates in 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament

Vaishali Rameshbabu Takes Sole Lead in Women’s Candidates After Dramatic Round

Upcoming Matches: Round 11 Pairings and Viewing Information

Sindarov Dominates Round 10 of 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament

April 7, 2026 — The 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament continues to be a showcase for rising star GM Javokhir Sindarov, who has taken a commanding lead after the 10th round. With a record-breaking sixth victory, Sindarov now boasts the most wins in the modern Candidates format since 2013, solidifying his status as a formidable contender.

In a thrilling match, Sindarov triumphed over GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, marking the only decisive result of the round. This victory puts him two points ahead of his closest rival, GM Anish Giri, with four rounds remaining. GM Fabiano Caruana trails Giri by another full point, making the race for the top spot increasingly intense.

The other matches of the day ended in draws, including a highly anticipated clash between Giri and GM Hikaru Nakamura, as well as encounters featuring GM Wei Yi against GM Fabiano Caruana and GM Andrey Esipenko versus GM Matthias Bluebaum.

Women’s Candidates: Vaishali Rameshbabu Takes Sole Lead

In the Women’s Candidates, GM Vaishali Rameshbabu emerged as the sole leader after a quiet draw against GM Anna Muzychuk. This result came after her co-leader, GM Zhu Jiner, faced a shocking defeat at the hands of GM Bibisara Assaubayeva, who capitalized on Zhu’s rejection of a draw by repetition.

Additionally, GM Aleksandra Goryachkina secured her first win of the tournament, handing GM Divya Deshmukh her second consecutive loss. The Women’s Candidates remains competitive, with Vaishali leading but closely followed by Assaubayeva and Goryachkina, both just half a point behind.

Looking Ahead

As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the upcoming matches. Round 11 is set to take place after a rest day on Saturday, April 9, starting at 8:45 a.m. ET / 14:45 CEST / 6:15 p.m. IST.

Fans can catch all the action live on Chess24’s YouTube and Twitch channels, with detailed coverage available on the Events Page.

The FIDE Candidates Tournament is the pinnacle of chess competition, where eight elite players vie for the chance to challenge reigning World Champions Gukesh Dommaraju and Ju Wenjun for their titles. As the tournament unfolds, the excitement and tension are palpable, promising thrilling chess in the days to come.

Stay tuned for more updates and in-depth analysis of Round 10’s standout performances!