FIDE Candidates 2026 R12: Sindarov on the verge of becoming World Championship Challenger

By admin April 13, 2026 0 comments

For the second consecutive round, all four games in Round 13 of FIDE Candidates 2026 ended in draws. Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) is now just a half point away from becoming the winner and a Challenger to the World Championship. Anish Giri (NED) missed a good chance to win against Wei YI (CHN) and reduce the gap. Although, it still probably would have not been enough to catch Sindarov in the remaining two games.

Giri misses against Wei

Today is the last rest day of the tournament. Round 13 starts tomorrow Tuesday 14th April.

Javokhir Sindarov laughs and mentions that today is a rest day when he was asked about his plans with the black pieces in Round 13 | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Esipenko – Praggnanandhaa: 0.5-0.5

Andrey Esipenko (2698) and R Praggnanandhaa (2741) play an exciting draw.

Position after 8…exf2+

It seemed like the game might head yield a decisive endgame but that was not the case. Both players ensured that things do not go out of control.

Andrey Esipenko and R Praggnanandhaa’s early fireworks ended in a draw | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

Matthias Bluebaum (GER) – Fabiano Caruana (USA): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Sindarov – Nakamura: 0.5-0.5

The tournament sole leader, Javokhir Sindarov (UZB, 2745) drew against the World no.2, Hikaru Nakamura (USA, 2810) comfortably to maintain his lead.

Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) – Hikaru Nakamura (USA): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

Press Conference with Javokhir Sindarov and Hikaru Nakamura | Video: FIDE

R Praggnanandhaa – Matthias Bluebaum (GER): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Wei – Giri: 0.5-0.5

Anish Giri (NED, 2753) missed a great opportunity against Wei Yi (CHN, 2754).

Position after 32.Kh1

32…Qe3 was probably the best opportunity Black had in the entire game. 33.Qd5+ Kh8 and Black would have been fine as there is no perpetual check after 34.Bg7+. Instead, the game continued 32…Qc5 33.c7 and Black’s advantage dissipated.

Anish Giri could have possibly reduced the gap with Javokhir Sindarov | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Interview with Anish Giri | Video: FIDE

Team Saint Louis Chess Club – IM Irene Sukandar (INA), GM Maurice Ashley (USA) and WGM Anastasiya Karlovich (UKR) | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Vishy Anand with his fan | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Javokhir Sindarov with a fan | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Replay Round 12 live stream

Replay Round 12 live commentary by GM Peter Svidler and GM Jan Gustafsson | Video: FIDE

Replay Round 12 games

Round 12 results

All four games ended in draws for the second consecutive round | Graphic: FIDE

Standings after Round 12

Javokhir Sindarov remains two points ahead of the rest 9/12 | Graphic: FIDE

Round 13 pairings

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

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.