Javokhir Sindarov missed a clear opportunity to secure victory this afternoon against Matthias Bluebaum, allowing Anish Giri to narrow the gap after defeating Fabiano Caruana with the black pieces. With five rounds remaining, Sindarov still leads by 1.5 points.
Vaishali and Zhu Jiner share the lead at the FIDE Women’s Candidates with 5.5/9, following victories over Divya Deshmukh and Kateryna Lagno, respectively. Meanwhile, Anna Muzychuk squandered a highly promising endgame, slipping behind the leaders.
A full report will be available shortly.
FIDE Candidates Round 9 results:
Hikaru Nakamura ½–½ Andrey Esipenko
Fabiano Caruana 0–1 Anish Giri
Praggnanandhaa R ½–½ Wei Yi
Matthias Bluebaum ½–½ Javokhir Sindarov
Standings after Round 9 – FIDE Candidates Tournament:
1. Sindarov – 7 points
2. Giri – 5½
3. Caruana – 4½
4-7. Bluebaum, Nakamura, Praggnanandhaa R, Wei Yi – 4
8. Esipenko – 3
FIDE Women’s Candidates Round 9 results:
Tan Zhongyi ½–½ Anna Muzychuk
Zhu Jiner 1–0 Kateryna Lagno
Aleksandra Goryachkina ½–½ Bibisara Assaubayeva
Vaishali Rameshbabu 1–0 Divya Deshmukh
Standings after Round 9 – FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament:
1-2. Vaishali, Zhu Jiner – 5½ points
3. Muzychuk – 5 points
4-5. Deshmukh, Lagno – 4½ points
6-7. Assaubayeva, Goryachkina – 4 points
8. Tan Zhongyi – 3 points
Official website: https://candidates2026.fide.com/
Event photo gallery: https://www.flickr.com/photos/fide/
Live daily broadcast with GM commentary: https://www.youtube.com/@FIDE_chess
Written by IM Michael A. Rahal (Cyprus)
Photos: Michal Walusza, Niki Riga
