Vaishali Shines as Pragg Faces Setback at Cyprus Candidates Chess Tournament

Sibling Stars Shine at Candidates Chess Tournament in Cyprus

Cyprus, [Date] — The parallel Candidates chess tournaments in Cyprus reached a thrilling crescendo as the sibling duo of R Praggnanandhaa and R Vaishali captured the spotlight on a pivotal day. While 20-year-old prodigy Praggnanandhaa faced a setback, losing to Uzbek sensation Javokhir Sindarov for the second time in the tournament, his sister Vaishali showcased her resilience, drawing against Anna Muzychuk and solidifying her position as the sole leader in the women’s section.

Vaishali’s draw on Thursday, coupled with Bibisara Assaubayeva’s victory over Zhu Jiner, propelled her to the top of the leaderboard, maintaining her unbeaten streak of five games. The 24-year-old Indian chess star, who had previously battled through a challenging start, is now eyeing the coveted title with only four games remaining.

Entering the tournament as co-leaders, Vaishali and Zhu faced contrasting fates in Round 10. While Vaishali secured a swift draw, Zhu fought valiantly but ultimately succumbed to Assaubayeva. Vaishali’s recent success can be attributed to her commitment to mental preparation; she has been working with a psychologist to enhance her psychological resilience, a strategy that appears to be paying off.

Reflecting on her past experiences, Vaishali recalled her emotional roller-coaster at her first Candidates tournament in Toronto two years ago, where she rebounded from a dismal start to finish strong. In Cyprus, she has mirrored that comeback, climbing from joint-last to first with a string of impressive performances.

Meanwhile, Praggnanandhaa’s journey took a different turn. Coming into the tournament with a strong head-to-head record against Sindarov, he found himself on the losing end this time. With four rounds left, Praggnanandhaa’s chances of clinching the title have dimmed, as he trails Sindarov by four points. The Uzbek prodigy, who had eagerly anticipated facing Praggnanandhaa, has now bested him in both encounters in Cyprus.

The decisive moment in their latest clash occurred on move 22, when Praggnanandhaa’s misstep allowed Sindarov to seize control. Despite having an extra bishop, Praggnanandhaa’s position deteriorated rapidly, culminating in a victory for Sindarov on the 53rd move.

Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand commented on Praggnanandhaa’s performance, noting that despite his poor score, the young Indian’s play has been commendable, showcasing his potential for future tournaments.

As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Vaishali as she aims to secure her place at the top, while Praggnanandhaa seeks to regain his footing in the competitive landscape of chess. The final rounds promise to deliver more excitement as these talented siblings continue to make their mark on the world stage.