Sindarov Shines in Round 5 of the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament, Lagno Joins Women’s Lead

Sindarov’s Stellar Performance Continues at 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament

April 3, 2026 — In a stunning display of skill and strategy, GM Javokhir Sindarov has solidified his position as a frontrunner in the 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament, achieving a remarkable score of 4.5 out of 5. His latest victory came at the expense of renowned chess master Hikaru Nakamura, who faltered after an agonizing 67-minute deliberation on move 13, ultimately leading to his downfall.

Sindarov’s triumph over Nakamura not only showcased his tactical prowess but also propelled him to the world number five ranking. Meanwhile, GM Fabiano Caruana remains hot on his heels, having delivered a decisive checkmate against GM Matthias Bluebaum, ending Bluebaum’s unbeaten streak.

In other matches, GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu faced GM Andrey Esipenko and GM Anish Giri battled GM Wei Yi, both resulting in draws.

Women’s Candidates: Lagno and Zhu Surge Ahead

In the Women’s Candidates Tournament, GM Kateryna Lagno made a significant comeback by defeating co-leader GM Bibisara Assaubayeva. This victory allowed Lagno to catch up with GM Anna Muzychuk, who opted for a quick draw against GM Aleksandra Goryachkina. Additionally, top seed GM Zhu Jiner secured her second consecutive win against GM Divya Deshmukh, resulting in a three-way tie for the lead.

Upcoming Matches

As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on the next round, scheduled for Saturday, April 4, starting at 8:45 a.m. ET / 14:45 CEST / 6:15 p.m. IST. With Sindarov’s impressive form and Caruana’s relentless pursuit, the competition remains fierce.

This is a flash report—stay tuned for comprehensive coverage of the day’s action and analysis of the pivotal matches!

Candidates Round 5 Results

• Sindarov vs. Nakamura: Sindarov wins
• Caruana vs. Bluebaum: Caruana wins
• Praggnanandhaa vs. Esipenko: Draw
• Giri vs. Wei Yi: Draw

Women’s Candidates Round 5 Results

• Lagno vs. Assaubayeva: Lagno wins
• Muzychuk vs. Goryachkina: Draw
• Zhu vs. Deshmukh: Zhu wins

The FIDE Candidates Tournament is the pinnacle of chess competition, where the best players vie for the chance to challenge reigning champions Gukesh Dommaraju and Ju Wenjun for the title.

Stay tuned for more updates and insights from the chess world!