Intensity Builds at FIDE Candidates Tournament: Indian Contingent Faces Challenges Amidst Rising Stars
As the tournament reaches its midpoint, the contrasting fortunes of the Indian players highlight the fierce competition in both the Open and Women’s sections.
Intense Battles Unfold at FIDE Candidates Tournament in Cyprus
NEW DELHI: As the FIDE Candidates Tournament approaches the halfway mark of its 14-round marathon, the atmosphere in Cyprus is charged with anticipation and intensity. The Indian contingent finds itself at a crossroads, grappling with challenges in the Open section while witnessing a resurgence in the Women’s category.
Leading the charge in the Open section is Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov, who has been nothing short of sensational. With an impressive score of 5.5/6, Sindarov’s play has set him apart from the competition, making a potential World Championship match against India’s D Gukesh seem increasingly likely. In stark contrast, India’s R Praggnanandhaa, the sole representative in the Open section, is struggling to find his footing, currently sitting at 3 points.
Veteran Grandmaster Pravin Thipsay analyzed Praggnanandhaa’s recent match against Hikaru Nakamura, noting that while the young Indian displayed ambition, he ultimately fell short of securing a decisive victory. “Praggnanandhaa did play quite ambitiously against Nakamura. However, the game ended in a draw after both players were forced to repeat moves to avoid inferior positions,” Thipsay explained.
Meanwhile, Sindarov’s performance has been nothing short of masterful. He dismantled Wei Yi with surgical precision, showcasing a level of play that Thipsay described as “a different class altogether.” If Sindarov maintains this momentum, he could clinch the tournament title with rounds to spare.
Women’s Section: A Gritty Resurgence
In the Women’s section, the narrative shifts as Indian players Vaishali Rameshbabu and Divya Deshmukh secured crucial victories in Round 6. Both players capitalized on their opponents’ mistakes, demonstrating resilience and tactical prowess.
Vaishali’s match against Kateryna Lagno was a rollercoaster of emotions. Thipsay remarked on her aggressive approach, which at times compromised her positional integrity. “Vaishali kept playing aggressively, and Lagno played passively, allowing Vaishali to seize control,” he noted. Ultimately, Vaishali’s persistence paid off, leading to her opponent’s resignation on move 47.
Divya Deshmukh’s victory over Bibisara Assaubayeva followed a similar trajectory. Initially facing difficulties, Divya capitalized on a series of unforced errors from her opponent. “Bibisara’s decision to attack with the queen instead of the knight allowed Divya to turn the tables and secure a win after 46 moves,” Thipsay explained.
With these victories, Vaishali and Divya have joined the chasing pack behind leader Anna Muzychuk, who currently holds 4 points. However, the Indian players must remain vigilant; their reliance on opponent blunders needs to be replaced with the clinical dominance exhibited by Muzychuk.
Looking Ahead
As the tournament progresses, the stakes are high. Round 7 promises to be pivotal, with Praggnanandhaa facing off against Fabiano Caruana, while Vaishali and Divya look to build on their momentum against formidable opponents. The chess world watches with bated breath as these talented players navigate the complexities of the game, striving for glory in the Mediterranean sun.
FIDE Candidates Round 6 Results – April 4, 2026
Open Section:
- Fabiano Caruana 0.5–0.5 Andrey Esipenko
- Hikaru Nakamura 0.5–0.5 R Praggnanandhaa
- Anish Giri 0.5–0.5 Matthias Blübaum
- Wei Yi 0–1 Javokhir Sindarov
Women’s Section:
- Zhu Jiner 0–1 Anna Muzychuk
- Tan Zhongyi 0.5–0.5 Aleksandra Goryachkina
- Kateryna Lagno 0–1 Vaishali Rameshbabu
- Bibisara Assaubayeva 0–1 Divya Deshmukh
Round 7 Pairings – April 5, 2026
Open Section: Esipenko vs. Wei Yi; Sindarov vs. Anish Giri; Blübaum vs. Nakamura; Praggnanandhaa vs. Caruana.
Women’s Section: Muzychuk vs. Assaubayeva; Divya vs. Kateryna Lagno; Vaishali vs. Tan Zhongyi; Goryachkina vs. Zhu Jiner.