FIDE Candidates 2026 Round 6 LIVE Updates: Praggnanandhaa Draws with Nakamura, Sindarov Secures Fifth Victory

FIDE Candidates 2026 Round 6: Praggnanandhaa and Nakamura Settle for Draw in Quick Encounter

Cyprus, April 4, 2026 – In a highly anticipated clash at the FIDE Candidates Tournament, Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa and American star Hikaru Nakamura agreed to a draw after just 23 moves in their sixth-round encounter. The match, which showcased both players’ strategic prowess, ended with ample time remaining on the clock for both competitors.

Praggnanandhaa, currently joint-third in the standings with 2.5 points, entered the match hoping to close the gap on tournament leader Javokhir Sindarov and second-placed Fabiano Caruana. The young Indian prodigy had previously opened his campaign with a victory over Dutch GM Anish Giri but faced a setback with a loss to Sindarov in Round 5, followed by three consecutive draws.

On the other hand, Nakamura, ranked World No. 2, has struggled throughout the tournament, finding himself at the bottom of the leaderboard with just 1.5 points. The seasoned American had suffered a loss to Caruana in the opening round and managed only three draws before being outplayed by Sindarov in his last outing.

Despite their contrasting fortunes, Praggnanandhaa’s draw against Nakamura keeps him within striking distance of the leaders, while Nakamura’s struggles continue to mount. Historically, Nakamura holds a 13-7 advantage in their head-to-head encounters, but Praggnanandhaa’s recent form suggests he is a formidable opponent.

Javokhir Sindarov Continues to Dominate

In another notable match, Javokhir Sindarov secured his fifth victory of the tournament by defeating Wei Yi in 36 moves. The win solidifies Sindarov’s position at the top of the standings, further establishing him as a frontrunner for the coveted World Championship spot.

Women’s Section: Aiming for Redemption

In the women’s section, GMs Divya Deshmukh and R Vaishali find themselves sharing the last spot with 2 points after five rounds. Both players have faced challenges, with four draws and one loss each. Deshmukh is set to face Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva, while Vaishali will take on Russia’s Kateryna Lagno, who currently shares the top spot with Ukraine’s Anna Muzychuk and China’s Zhu Jiner.

As the tournament approaches its halfway mark, both Deshmukh and Vaishali are eager to break their winless streak and make a push for the top half of the standings.

Looking Ahead

With the tournament heating up, all eyes will be on the upcoming rounds as players vie for a chance to compete for the World Championship title. Praggnanandhaa’s draw against Nakamura may not have been the full point he sought, but it keeps his hopes alive in a fiercely competitive field. As the competition unfolds, chess enthusiasts around the world will be eagerly watching to see who will emerge victorious in this prestigious event.