R Vaishali showcased her exceptional performance in the women’s Candidates tournament, taking the lead after securing a composed draw against Anna Muzychuk in Round 10. Meanwhile, Javokhir Sindarov strengthened his position in the open section with a dominant victory over R Praggnanandhaa.
Vaishali’s consistent display throughout the competition brought her total points to six, placing her ahead of the pack in the women’s category. Against Muzychuk, a seasoned player, Vaishali maintained a steady performance, ensuring the game remained under control without any late complications. This victory continued her momentum at a crucial juncture of the tournament.
Muzychuk now shares the second spot with China’s Zhu Jiner, both standing at 5.5 points, setting up an intense title battle for the final rounds. The competition remains tight, with players like Bibisara Assaubayeva, Kateryna Lagno, and Aleksandra Goryachkina also in contention with five points each.
In the women’s section, it was a mixed day for the Indian players as Divya Deshmukh faced defeat against Goryachkina after a challenging game.
In the open section, Sindarov’s pursuit of the title gained momentum as he defeated Praggnanandhaa to reach eight points, establishing a significant two-point lead. His strategic play and composure under pressure have made him a standout performer in the tournament.
Sindarov opted for an aggressive tactic early in the game against Praggnanandhaa, leading to a critical error by the Indian player that shifted the advantage in Sindarov’s favor. With this win, Sindarov secured his sixth victory in the tournament, positioning himself as the frontrunner for the title.
Anish Giri, with six points, remains the closest competitor, while other contenders like Fabiano Caruana, Hikaru Nakamura, and Andrey Esipenko maintained their positions at the top of the leaderboard.
Unfortunately, Praggnanandhaa’s loss marked his third defeat in the tournament, diminishing his chances of a comeback. With only a few rounds remaining, he is now out of contention.
Results from Round 10 saw notable matchups, including Sindarov’s win over Praggnanandhaa and draws between other top contenders in both the men’s and women’s sections.
The competition intensifies as players approach the final rounds, keeping fans on the edge of their seats with thrilling chess action.