Sindarov Secures Victory in 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament; Women’s Race Heats Up

Round 13 Highlights: Sindarov Draws to Clinch Title, Assaubayeva and Vaishali Share Lead in Women’s Event

Upcoming Final Round: All Eyes on April 15 for Decisive Matches

GM Javokhir Sindarov Clinches 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament Title

In a thrilling conclusion to Round 13 of the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament, GM Javokhir Sindarov has secured his spot as the next challenger for the world title, drawing against GM Anish Giri and clinching the tournament with a round to spare. The draw not only solidified Sindarov’s lead but also earned him a substantial €70,000 prize.

Sindarov’s remarkable performance throughout the tournament has made him uncatchable, and he now sets his sights on breaking the record for the highest score in Candidates history, currently held by GM Ian Nepomniachtchi. In his final game, Sindarov will face GM Wei Yi, who achieved the only decisive victory of the round against GM Andrey Esipenko.

Round 13 Highlights

While Sindarov’s draw was enough to secure his victory, the round was marked by several notable moments:

• Wei Yi’s Victory: Wei scored his second win of the event, defeating Esipenko in a crucial match that showcased his tactical prowess.
• Missed Opportunities: GM Fabiano Caruana faced off against GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu but missed a winning opportunity just before move 40, resulting in a draw. Similarly, the match between GM Hikaru Nakamura and GM Matthias Bluebaum also ended in a stalemate.

Women’s Candidates: A Tight Race

In the Women’s Candidates Tournament, the competition remains fierce as six players still have a chance to claim the title going into the final round. GMs Bibisara Assaubayeva and Vaishali Rameshbabu are tied for the lead with 7.5 points after both securing victories in their matches. Assaubayeva triumphed over GM Anna Muzychuk, while Vaishali managed to escape with a draw against GM Tan Zhongyi.

However, Zhu Jiner’s ambitions for the sole lead were dashed when she overpressed against GM Aleksandra Goryachkina, resulting in a shocking defeat. Meanwhile, GM Kateryna Lagno’s win over GM Divya Deshmukh keeps her playoff hopes alive.

Looking Ahead

As the tournament heads into its final round on Wednesday, April 15, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Sindarov will play with the White pieces against Wei Yi, while Assaubayeva and Vaishali will each have their fates in their own hands. A win for either player guarantees at least a playoff for the title, while a draw could open the door for Zhu to catch up.

The excitement continues to build as chess enthusiasts around the world prepare for what promises to be an electrifying conclusion to the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament.

Stay tuned for full coverage of Round 13 and the thrilling final round!

How to Watch

Fans can catch all the action live on Chess24’s YouTube and Twitch channels, or follow the games on the Events Page.

The FIDE Candidates Tournament is the pinnacle of chess competition, determining who will challenge the reigning world champions, GM Gukesh Dommaraju and GM Ju Wenjun, for their titles.