FIDE Women’s Candidates 2026 R10: Vaishali emerges sole leader

By admin April 10, 2026 0 comments

R Vaishali drew against Anna Muzychuk (UKR) in Round 10 of FIDE Women’s Candidates 2026. Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) defeated Jiner Zhu (CHN). Thus, Vaishali has emerged sole leader 6/10. Jiner and Anna are the two pursuer at 5.5/10 each. Divya Deshmukh suffered a loss against Aleksandra Goryachkina.

Anna Muzychuk and Jiner Zhu in pursuit

Aleksandra Goryachkina, Bibisara Assaubayeva and Kateryna Lagno are at 5/10 each. The Women’s event is poised for a close finish. Today is the third rest day of the event. Round 11 will be played on Saturday 11th April.

R Vaishali is the sole leader 6/10 | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

Anna – Vaishali: 0.5-0.5

The rematch between Anna Muzychuk (UKR, 2522) and R Vaishali (2470) ended in a draw.

Anna Muzychuk (UKR) – R Vaishali | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Divya – Goryachkina: 0-1

A late blunder in a knight vs bishop endgame cost Divya Deshmukh (2497) the game against Aleksandra Goryachkina (2534).

Position after 55…f4

Almost any pawn push is fine for White except for the one that was actually played 56.g3?? fxg3+ 57.Kxg3 Bb3? 58.Nb2?? was the final mistake. Thus, Goryachkina scored her first win of the event.

Divya Deshmukh – Aleksandra Goryachkina: 0-1 | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Interview with Aleksandra Goryachkina | Video: FIDE

Bibisara – Jiner: 1-0

Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ, 2516) defeated Jiner Zhu (CHN, 2578) in their rematch too.

Bibisara Assaubayeva’s passed pawns proved to be tronger than Jiner Zhu’s isolated one | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Interview with Bibisara Assaubayeva and Jiner Zhu | Video: FIDE

Kateryna Lagno – Zhongyi Tan (CHN): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Replay Round 10 live stream

Replay Round 10 live commentary by GM Peter Svidler and GM Jan Gustafsson | Video: FIDE

Replay Round 10 games

Round 10 results

Aleksandra Goryachkina and Bibisara Assaubayeva are the two victors of Round 10 | Graphic: FIDE

Standings after Round 10

R Vaishali has emerged sole leader 6/10 | Graphic: FIDE

Round 11 pairings

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

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.