FIDE Candidates 2026 R7: Anish Giri halts Javokhir Sindarov’s winning streak

By admin April 6, 2026 0 comments

Anish Giri (NED) halted Javokhir Sindarov’s (UZB) four-game winning streak in Round 7 of FIDE Candidates 2026. R Praggnanandhaa drew against Fabiano Caruana (USA). Thus, Sindarov is still 1.5 points ahead of the field 6/7. Caruana is the only player at 4.5/7, followed by Praggnanandhaa and Giri at 3.5/7 each.

Wei scores his first win of the event

Wei Yi (CHN) scored the lone win of the round and his first win of tournament against Andrey Esipenko. This win came after he suffered a loss against the sole leader, Javokhir Sindarov in the previous round. Today is the second rest day of the event. Round 8 starts tomorrow Tuesday 7th April.

Javokhir Sindarov (UZB) maintains his sole lead 6/7 | Photo: FIDE / Yoav Nis

Sindarov – Giri: 0.5-0.5

Javokhir Sindarov (UZB, 2745) and Anish Giri (NED, 2753) played two Classical rated games against each other before this. Giri had white pieces in both of them and they ended in draws. This time Sindarov had the white pieces. However, Giri in the endgame made a well-timed exchange sacrifice to equalize things. Later, he built a fortress with this king, bishop and pawn. When Sindarov broke through it, draw was the maximum he could get.

Javokhir Sindarov’s winning streak was halted by Anish Giri | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Javokhir Sindarov is still World no.5 now with a live rating of 2770.3 | Source: 2700chess.com

Interview with Javokhir Sindarov | Video: FIDE

Esipenko – Wei: 1-0

Andrey Esipenko (2698) and Wei Yi (CHN, 2754) played two Classical rated games against each other earlier. Wei won both of them at Aeroflot Open with the black pieces. The result was repeated in their third encounter and Wei once again had the black pieces. Wei opted for the Petroff’s Defence.

Position after 26…Bb5!

Wei made a nice rook sacrifice in an already winning position 26…Bb5!-+ 27.bxc4 Bxc4 28.Bc2 Bd3 29.Bc3 bxc3 30.Nc1 Rb8+ and it’s over.

Wei Yi continues to remain a formidable foe for Andrey Esipenko | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Press Conference with Wei Yi | Video: FIDE

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

Hikaru Nakamura analyzes his game against Matthias Bluebaum | Video: GMHikaru

Praggnanandhaa – Caruana: 0.5-0.5

R Praggnanandhaa (2741) and Fabiano Caruana (USA, 2795) have played 13 Classical rated games against each other including two in the previous Candidates. Both of them have won two games each, the remaining nine games ended in draws. Their 14th game also ended in a draw.

R Praggnanandhaa – Fabiano Caruana (USA): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: FIDE / Yoav Nis

GM Mohd. Al-Mudahka, President, Qatar Chess Association, made the ceremonial first move on Javokhir Sindarov and Anish Giri’s board | Photo: FIDE / Yoav Nis

Round 7 in progress | Photo: FIDE / Yoav Nis

Replay Round 7 live stream

Replay Round 7 live commentary by GM Peter Svidler and GM Jan Gustafsson | Video: FIDE

Replay Round 7 games

Round 7 results

Wei Yi scored the lone win of the round | Graphic: FIDE

Standings after Round 7

Javokhir Sindarov is still 1.5 points ahead of the rest 6/7 | Graphic: FIDE

Round 8 pairings

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

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.