Sindarov Clinches FIDE Candidates Title, Prepares for Gukesh Showdown

Javokhir Sindarov has claimed the FIDE Candidates title, paving the way for a championship match against world champion D Gukesh. Meanwhile, R Vaishali continues to vie for the women's title after a crucial draw. The chess world is abuzz with excitement as these talented players prepare for their upcoming matches. Stay tuned for more updates on this thrilling chess tournament.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 14, 2026, 23:12 IST

Sindarov Secures FIDE Candidates Title

On Tuesday, Uzbekistan's Javokhir Sindarov earned a spot in the championship match against reigning world champion D Gukesh by winning the FIDE Candidates title in the Open section. He achieved this after drawing his round 13 match against Dutch player Anish Giri. According to reports, Sindarov managed to secure the title without any losses, finishing the tournament with a round to spare. The championship clash is scheduled for later this year.

Vaishali Remains in the Race for Women's Title

In the women's division, R Vaishali made a strong comeback after a previous loss, managing to draw her match against Tan Zhongyi while playing with black pieces. This result brought her total points to 7.5, keeping her in the running for the world title. In the final round, she is set to compete against Zhu Jiner, who is currently engaged in a match with Aleksandra Goryachkina, while Bibisara Assaubayeva, also with 7.5 points, secured a victory over Anna Muzychuk today.

Gukesh's Journey to World Champion

D Gukesh made headlines in December 2024 when he became the youngest world champion in history, clinching the FIDE World Championship title by defeating Ding Liren from China in Singapore at just 18 years old. In April, he further solidified his reputation by winning the FIDE Candidates Chess Tournament 2024, making him the youngest challenger for Ding's world title.

Additional Match Outcomes

In other notable results from the FIDE Candidates 2026, R Praggnanandhaa drew his match against Fabiano Caruana, while Divya Deshmukh faced a loss against Kateryna Lagno.