{"id":11271,"date":"2026-04-05T09:32:16","date_gmt":"2026-04-05T02:32:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/?p=11271"},"modified":"2026-04-05T09:32:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-05T02:32:18","slug":"sindarov-breaks-away-muzychuk-continues-run","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/sindarov-breaks-away-muzychuk-continues-run\/","title":{"rendered":"Sindarov breaks away, Muzychuk continues run"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Javokhir Sindarov has now scored an incredible five wins from six games, defeating Wei Yi to further extend his lead in the FIDE Candidates Tournament. Meanwhile, Fabiano Caruana could only manage a draw and now trails by one and a half points.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the FIDE Women\u2019s Candidates Tournament 2026, last-minute replacement Anna Muzychuk continues her remarkable run, beating Zhu Jiner with the black pieces to become the sole leader on 4 out of 6.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What began as a Vienna Game in the clash between Wei Yi and Sindarov quickly transposed into a classical Bishop\u2019s Opening, an excellent practical decision by the Chinese grandmaster, steering the game away from heavily memorized lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the post-game press conference, Wei Yi explained his opening choice: \u201cMy team found this interesting idea and I liked it and wanted to try it (5.a3). I knew that the position was not easy to play for both sides, but my opponent played some very strong moves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sindarov responded ambitiously, quickly securing the bishop pair, though at the cost of certain weaknesses on his kingside. Reflecting on the early phase, he said: \u201cThis move 5.a3 surprised me and I was pretty much out of the book. But if I get a chance to play a dynamic position from either side, I will always be very happy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tournament leader gradually equalised before ultimately taking control, capitalising on his opponent\u2019s time trouble. Sindarov was candid about his approach: \u201cI played very solidly. I think I was a bit worse, but I started to like my position when my bishop landed on d4. I also had a big clock advantage, and I could press. I took advantage of his mistakes in time trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asked about his performance, Wei Yi admitted: \u201cMy opponent is in good shape, but today I had White and tried to fight for the win. However, I made some mistakes in time trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, Caruana was always likely to apply early pressure against Andrey Esipenko, a player known for his classical and principled style. Accordingly, he opted for the Reti Opening, aiming to steer the game into flexible and less predictable territory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAs Garry Kasparov once did in a must-win game, this setup has entered chess lore,\u201d explained commentator Jan Gustafsson during the live broadcast. \u201cIf you want to win, play Nf3\u2013g3\u2013b3 and go from there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, this time the strategy yielded little. Esipenko handled the symmetrical position with remarkable precision, reportedly playing at a 98% accuracy rate and leaving Caruana with no real winning chances. The draw means the American now trails the tournament leader by 1.5 points, though his overall score of +2 remains solid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In another key encounter, Hikaru Nakamura faced Praggnanandhaa R, against whom he holds a favourable head-to-head record, with two wins and four draws. For the first time in the tournament, the Nimzo-Indian Defence appeared on the board. Nakamura seemed slightly surprised by the choice, spending considerable time navigating the theoretical lines, albeit within one of the many available side-lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In contrast, Praggnanandhaa looked entirely comfortable, equalising smoothly. Both players appeared satisfied with the outcome and soon steered the game toward a threefold repetition, agreeing to a draw on move 23.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reflecting afterwards, Nakamura noted: \u201cThe final position is hard to judge\u2014probably equal. But I was surprised my opponent didn\u2019t decide to play on, given that his tournament situation is better than mine.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An intriguing matchup saw Anish Giri face Matthias Bluebaum. Their only previous encounter, in Tata Steel Chess Tournament earlier this year, ended in dramatic fashion, as Giri overpressed with the black pieces and was convincingly defeated in a miniature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A classical Carlsbad structure arose from the Queen\u2019s Gambit Declined, with queens exchanged early. While theory holds that Black can hold such positions, it often comes at the cost of defending long-term structural weaknesses: a pair of doubled isolated pawns. Bluebaum rose to the challenge admirably, defending with precision for a full 84 moves to secure the draw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, in the FIDE Women\u2019s Candidates Tournament, Muzychuk emerged as the sole leader after an important victory with the black pieces against co-leader Zhu Jiner. Combined with a loss by Bibisara Assaubayeva, Muzychuk now leads the standings by a full point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jiner opted for a quiet Italian Game, choosing the relatively rare 5.Be3. Muzychuk equalised comfortably before gradually seizing the initiative. In a bold turn, she sacrificed material to launch a powerful attack, which ultimately proved decisive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reflecting on the game, Muzychuk said: \u201cIt was a very stressful game. I did expect the Italian but not this line, so I was trying to figure it out over the board. Zhu Jiner is a very strong player \u2013 the highest rated \u2013 and she had won the last two, so it was a dangerous game for me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aleksandra Goryachkina essayed the Two Knights Defence against Tan Zhongyi, who arrived exceptionally well-prepared, confidently blitzing out her opening moves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Out of the opening, Zhongyi secured an extra pawn heading into the middlegame, but the tactical complications ultimately favoured Goryachkina. With a well-calculated combination, she managed to win her opponent\u2019s queen. However, Zhongyi demonstrated remarkable defensive resilience, constructing a fortress that Goryachkina could not break down, thus denying her a first victory in the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In another dramatic encounter, Vaishali R scored her first win of the tournament against Kateryna Lagno. In a game full of momentum swings, Vaishali seized the initiative around move 20 and launched a strong attacking push.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At one critical moment, however, she faltered, giving Lagno a chance to turn the tables \u2013 an opportunity that went unclaimed. Reflecting afterwards, Vaishali admitted: \u201cIt was an interesting game. In time trouble I thought I had the game under control, but I was lucky at some moment. After time trouble I think I was winning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Once she regained the advantage, Vaishali converted with precision, finishing the game with a neat tactical sequence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Black\u2019s attack is overwhelming, but accuracy is essential due to the material deficit. Vaishali found the subtle and powerful 46\u2026Rg5!, a quiet rook retreat that sets up the decisive threat of \u2026Qh4 mate. Following 47.Bg2 Qh4, it became clear that 48.Kg1 would fail to 48\u2026Rxg2!, winning the queen on e7. A crisp and elegant finish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the final game of the afternoon, Bibisara Assaubayeva suffered her second consecutive defeat, allowing Divya Deshmukh to score her first victory of the Candidates and join the chasing pack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The opening, a topical line in the Queen\u2019s Gambit, prompted commentator Jan Gustafsson to take a nostalgic trip down memory lane: \u201cI used to play the Cambridge Springs when I was young. I had the hope of winning with one of the many blunders my opponents could fall into.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Although the game was complex and dynamically balanced for long stretches, Assaubayeva eventually overpressed in her attacking efforts, allowing Divya to consolidate her extra material and convert the advantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reflecting on her win, Divya said: \u201cI have studied these openings quite well and I was well prepared. I wasn\u2019t sure of my position, but I thought it was better to be a pawn up in a slightly worse position. I think that after 40.f6 the position was winning for me, although up to that moment I was not sure at all.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Standings after Round 6<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Javokhir Sindarov has now scored an incredible five wins from six games, defeating Wei Yi to further extend<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":6507,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[44],"tags":[39],"class_list":["post-11271","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-international","tag-chess"],"aioseo_notices":[],"featured_image_urls":{"full":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/WC-D24-Sindarov-Winner_compressed.jpg",1000,664,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/WC-D24-Sindarov-Winner_compressed-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/WC-D24-Sindarov-Winner_compressed-300x199.jpg",300,199,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/WC-D24-Sindarov-Winner_compressed-768x510.jpg",640,425,true],"large":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/WC-D24-Sindarov-Winner_compressed.jpg",640,425,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/WC-D24-Sindarov-Winner_compressed.jpg",1000,664,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/WC-D24-Sindarov-Winner_compressed.jpg",1000,664,false],"morenews-large":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/WC-D24-Sindarov-Winner_compressed-825x575.jpg",825,575,true],"morenews-medium":["https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/WC-D24-Sindarov-Winner_compressed-590x410.jpg",590,410,true]},"author_info":{"info":["admin"]},"category_info":"International<\/a>","tag_info":"International","comment_count":"0","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/WC-D24-Sindarov-Winner_compressed.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11271","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11271"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11271\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11272,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11271\/revisions\/11272"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6507"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11271"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11271"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.infinitysport.asia\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11271"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}