India’s Grandmaster R. Vaishali Wins FIDE Women’s Candidates 2026 in Cyprus

By  News On Air   Apr 16, 2026

In chess, India’s Grandmaster R. Vaishali won the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026 in Cyprus yesterday. The 24-year-old defeated Russia’s Kateryna Lagno in the final round, finishing with 8.5 points out of 14 to clinch the title.

With this victory, Vaishali has earned the right to challenge China’s Ju Wenjun for the World Championship later this year.

In the Open section, Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov sealed victory in the Candidates Tournament with a round to spare, finishing on 9.5 points, two points ahead of the Netherlands’ Anish Giri.

Sindarov has emerged as the challenger to reigning world champion D Gukesh and will face Gukesh later this year.