FIDE Candidates 2026 R9: Giri wins two in-a-row, reduces the gap with Sindarov

By admin April 9, 2026 0 comments

Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) missed a good chance against Matthias Bluebaum (GER) in Round 9 of FIDE Candidates 2026. Thus, Bluebaum became the first player to remain undefeated against Sindarov at this event. Anish Giri (NED) scored his second win in-a-row, handing Fabiano Caruana (USA) his second consecutive loss. Giri is now 1.5 points behind Sindarov at 5.5/9.

Praggnanandhaa misses against Wei, Caruana loses his second consecutive game

R Praggnanandhaa missed a winning opportunity against Wei Yi. The game eventually ended in a draw, taking their score to 4/9 each.

Anish Giri (NED) continues his hunt to catch up with Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Nakamura – Esipenko: 0.5-0.5

The rematch between Hikaru Nakamura (USA, 2810) and Andrey Esipenko (2698) was another draw. This time the rook endgame was the majority of the battle.

Hikaru Nakamura (USA) – Andrey Esipenko: 0.5-0.5 | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

Hikaru Nakamura analyzes his game against Andrey Esipenko | Video: GMHikaru

Caruana – Giri: 0-1

Fabiano Caruana (USA, 2795) made a strange decision to venture his king out in the danger against Anish Giri (NED, 2753). There is no doubt that the position was difficult to play, stifling to say the least.

Position after 37…c5

38.dxc6 Qxc6 39.Nc2 Qb6 40.Qd5 Qa7 41.Qd3 Qb8 42.Qd2 Bxe4 43.Nxb4 is suggested by the computer. It is playable. However, White made a strange decision to play 38.Kg3? Qa7 39.Qb1 h5 40.Kf3 h4 41.Kg4 Qe7 42.Qd3 f5+ 43.exf5 Kh6! is a beautiful finish as White will have to give up his queen to delay the inevitable.

Fabiano Caruana (USA) lost his second game in-a-row after playing some strange chess in a difficult position | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

ress Conference with Anish Giri and Fabiano Caruana | Video: FIDE

Praggnanandhaa – Wei: 0.5-0.5

R Praggnanandhaa (2741) got himself a decisive advantage against Wei Yi (CHN, 2754).

Position after 37…Qd2

The simplest way to win was to take the bishop 38.Nxc8. Instead, 38.Qc7 perhaps White wanted to protect the f4-pawn before taking the bishop but there was no perpetual check possible. 38…b5 39.Re4 Qd3 40.Re1 Qd2 41.Rf1 Ba6 Black not only managed to save the bishop but also a half point.

R Praggnanandhaa missed a great opportunity against Wei Yi (CHN) | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

Bluebaum – Sindarov: 0.5-0.5

Matthias Bluebaum (GER, 2698) became the first player Javokhir Sindarov (UZB, 2745) could not manage to beat this event as both games ended in draws.

Position after 22…a4

21.b3? created a hook for Black to attack upon 22…a4 23.Nxa4? Nxa4-+ 24.bxa4 now Black needed to go Qb7. Instead, 24…Bxa4? allowed White to neutralize the threats by trading the pieces 25.Qxb6 Rxb6 26.Bb3 Bxb3 27.cxb3 White is out of the woods and the game petered out to a draw.

Matthias Bluebaum becomes the first player who remained undefeated against Javokhir Sindarov in both games | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Press Conference with Javokhir Sindarov and Matthias Bluebaum | Video: FIDE

IA IO FT Paris Kleridis, General Secretary, Cyprus Chess Federation, made the ceremonial first move on Matthias Bluebaum and Javokhir Sindarov’s board | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Former two-time FIDE Candidates winner, Ian Nepomniachtchi visited the event during Round 9 | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Ian Nepomniachtchi also joined the official commentary panel with Jan Gustafsson and Peter Svidler | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Replay Round 9 live stream

Replay Round 9 live commentary by GM Peter Svidler and GM Jan Gustafsson | Video: FIDE

Replay Round 9 games

Round 9 results

Anish Giri scored his second win in-a-row, also handing Fabiano Caruana his second consecutive loss | Graphic: FIDE

Standings after Round 9

Javokhir Sindarov is now 1.5 points ahead of the rest | Graphic: FIDE

Round 10 pairings

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

Schedule

FIDE Candidates Open and Women will take place from 29th March to 15th April. Tie-breaks, if needed, will be played on 16th April. Rest days are on 2nd, 6th, 10th and 13th April 2026.