FIDE Chess Candidates 2026 Live, Round 13: Crucial match for Vaishali as final round rounds kick-off, Divya and Pragg in action from 6:15 PM IST

Tan Zhongyi has reached the playing hall for her match against R Vaishali.

Zhu Jiner, who is tied for the top spot with Vaishali, will take on Aleksandra Goryachkina, who is sixth with 5.5 points.

Anna Muzychuk, who entered the tournament as Koneru Humpy’s replacement, sits third with 6.5 points.

Sindarov’s dominance was surprising yet justified: he beat several main rivals in direct matches at the tournament, such as American co-favourites GM Hikaru Nakamura and Fabiano Caruana. 

It is a must-win clash for Anish against Sindarov. If Anish fails to win, Sindarov clinches the tournament and heads for the World Championship final.

The women’s section is heating up as Zhu Jiner catches up to Vaishali at the top, and both players are tied at the top with seven points. Bibisara and Anna Muzychuk are half a point behind.

The women’s section is tied at the top with Vaishali R and Zhu Jiner on 7 points, and the other Indian in the women’s section, Divya Deshmukh, sits in seventh place with five points.

The men’s section is all but decided, and Javokhir Sindarov would need only a draw today and tomorrow to set up a World Championship clash with D Gukesh.

Bibisara Assaubayeva — Anna Muzychuk
Kateryna Lagno — Divya Deshmukh
Tan Zhongyi — Vaishali Rameshbabu
Zhu Jiner — Aleksandra Goryachkina

Wei Yi — Andrey Esipenko
Anish Giri — Javokhir Sindarov
Hikaru Nakamura — Matthias Bluebaum
Fabiano Caruana — Praggnanandhaa R

Hello and welcome to Sportstar’s live coverage of the FIDE Candidates 2026 Round 13.