Sindarov Capitalizes on Praggnanandhaa’s Oversight to Secure Historic Victory in Candidates Tournament

In a gripping 10th round of the Candidates chess tournament in Cyprus, R Praggnanandhaa faltered against Javokhir Sindarov, who seized the opportunity to notch his sixth win in the event’s history. Despite a valiant effort from Praggnanandhaa, his oversight on the 22nd turn proved costly, allowing Sindarov to dominate the match and extend his lead. Meanwhile, Praggnanandhaa’s sister, R Vaishali, kept the family legacy alive with a draw against Anna Muzychuk, positioning herself as a strong contender in the women’s section. As the tournament progresses, Sindarov leads with 8 points, while Vaishali stands at 6, showcasing the fierce competition ahead.

Praggnanandhaa Falls to Sindarov in Thrilling Candidates Clash

Cyprus – In a gripping showdown at the Candidates chess tournament, R Praggnanandhaa faced a tough defeat against Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov, who capitalized on a critical oversight during their 10th round match. The 18-year-old Indian prodigy made a fateful bishop move on the 22nd turn, inadvertently overlooking the looming threat of Rf7 from his opponent, who was eager to seize the moment.

Sindarov, fresh off a missed opportunity against Matthias Blubaum of Germany just a day prior, demonstrated his prowess by delivering a decisive victory in 53 moves. This win marked a historic sixth triumph in Candidates history since the format’s inception in 2013, propelling him to a commanding eight points—two points clear of second-placed Anish Giri.

While Praggnanandhaa’s loss was a setback, his sister, R Vaishali, kept the family banner flying high with a resilient draw against Anna Muzychuk. The 24-year-old from Tamil Nadu, the lowest seed in the tournament, now stands at six points, showcasing her remarkable ability to capitalize on opportunities. Their match lasted 42 moves, concluding with only black-square bishops and two pawns each remaining on the board.

Experts were left puzzled by Praggnanandhaa’s lengthy deliberation—31 minutes—before his 18th move (Qe7), a decision that ultimately cost him dearly. The oversight allowed Sindarov to gain a significant advantage, transitioning to a queen and five pawns versus two rooks and two pawns endgame, firmly in his favor.

As the tournament progresses, Sindarov’s dominance is evident, while Giri, needing a win to close the gap, faces a daunting challenge against Hikaru Nakamura, whom he hasn’t defeated in classical chess for over a decade.

With four rounds remaining, the standings are as follows:

• Open: Sindarov (8 points), Giri (6), Caruana (5)
• Women: Vaishali (6), Zhu Jiner & Muzychuk (5.5 each)

As the competition heats up, all eyes will be on the remaining rounds to see if Sindarov can maintain his lead and if Praggnanandhaa can bounce back from this setback.

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