FIDE Women’s Candidates 2026 R11: Vaishali beats Goryachkina to increase her sole lead by a full point

By admin April 12, 2026 0 comments

R Vaishali scored a huge win against Aleksandra Goryachkina in Round 11 of FIDE Women’s Candidates 2026. Vaishali increased her sole lead by a full point to move to 7/11. Goryachkina trapped her own rook in the endgame and paid a heavy price. Jiner Zhu (CHN) and Anna Muzychuk (UKR) are the only two players trailing Vaishali at 6/11 each.

Jiner and Anna continue their chase, Zhongyi misses against Bibisara

Zhongyi Tan missed a difficult chance in the late rook endgame against Bibisara Assaubayeva. After spotting the correct continuation intially, she was unable to follow through. Thus, allowing her opponent to escape with a draw. With only three rounds to go, Vaishali’s last three opponents are – Jiner Zhu, Zhongyi Tan and Kateryna Lagno.

Kateryna – Anna: 0.5-0.5

The second game between Kateryna Lagno (2508) and Anna Muzychuk (UKR, 2522) at this event ended in a draw.

Kateryna Lagno – Anna Muzychuk (UKR): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

Zhongyi – Bibisara: 0.5-0.5

The 16th Women’s World Champion, Zhongyi Tan (CHN, 2535) got herself a great opportunity in the rook endgame against the three-time World Blitz Women’s Champion, Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ, 2516).

Position after 58.Rg7

Black did the one thing she should not have done in the above position – that is to capture the h4-pawn 58…Rxh4+?? 59.Kg3+- Rh1 60.Kf4! preventing Ke5 which Black should have played in the first place. 60…Ke6 61.Rxg6+ Kf7 62.Ra6?? instead 62.Rh6 would have maintained the decisive advantage for White.

Zhongyi Tan (CHN) missed a great and difficult opportunity in late endgame against Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

Jiner Zhu (CHN) – Divya Deshmukh: 0.5-0.5 | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Goryachkina – Vaishali: 0-1

Aleksandra Goryachkina (2534) trapped her rook in the endgame against R Vaishali (2470).

Position after 30.Bc4??

20.Bc4?? trapped White’s own rook at e5. So Black just needed to step her bishop back Bc6! and now Nd7 is the threat, so White decided to at least gain pawn before losing the exchange 31.Rxc5 b6 32.Rxc6 Rxc6 33.Bb5 Rc2 34.Nc4 Nd5 35.b3 Rc3 36.Ba4 Nxe3 37.Nxb6 Rc2 38.Bb5 Rxg2+ and Black won the game in the next few moves.

R Vaishali scored a big win over Aleksandra Goryachkina | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

Press Conference with R Vaishali | Video: FIDE

Replay Round 11 live stream

Replay Round 11 live commentary by GM Peter Svidler and GM Jan Gustafsson | Video: FIDE

Replay Round 11 games

Round 11 results

R Vaishali scored the sole win in Round 11 | Graphic: FIDE

Standings after Round 11

R Vaishali increased her sole lead by a full point 7/11 | Graphic: FIDE

Round 12 pairings

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

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.