FIDE Women’s Candidates 2026 R12: Anna Muzychuk misses big against Goryachkina, Jiner beats Vaishali to join her at the top

By admin April 13, 2026 0 comments

Jiner Zhu (CHN) scored a crucial win against R Vaishali in Round 12 of FIDE Women’s Candidates 2026. Thus, both Vaishali and Jiner are now at 7/12 each. Anna Muzychuk (UKR) missed a great opportunity to beat Aleksandra Goryachkina and join the leaders. This half point deficit could be crucial for Anna as only two rounds left now.

Bibisara and Anna in the fray

Bibisara Assaubayeva won a back and forth battle against Kateryna Lagno after the latter could not capitalize on her advantage. Divya Deshmukh suffered her fourth loss of the event, this time against the 16th Women’s World Champion, Zhongyi Tan (CHN).

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

Anna – Goryachkina: 0.5-0.5

Anna Muzychuk (UKR, 2522) got a great opportunity to beat Aleksandra Goryachkina (2534) as the former blundered in the rook endgame.

Position after 40…Rg6??

40…Rg6?? created an opportunity for White 41.b5+- Rxg2 42.b6 g5 43.Rc7 Rb2 44.b7 Kg7 45.e5 Kg6 46.h5+ Kf5 47.Kd4 Ke6 48.Kc5 Kxe5 49.Kc6 instead Rd7 would have been a faster win for White.

Position after 53.Kc6

The black pawns being not that advanced means White can still win this 53…Kxh5 54.Kd5 Kh4 55.Ke4 Kg3 56.Ra8 h5 57.Ra3+ Kh2 58.Kf4 f5 59.Ra2+ Kh3 after repeating once to gain some time White went 62.Ra5 g3 63.Rxf5 Kg2 64.Ra5 h4

Position after 64…h4

How should White proceed in the above position to win the game? 65.Ra2+?? allowed Black to escape with a draw Kh3. Instead, the correct way was the counter-intuitive 65.Kg4 which was not that difficult as h3 66.Ra2+ and both pawns fall. 66.Ra3 Kh2 67.Kg4 g2 68.Rh3+ Kg1 69.Kxh4 Kf2 70.Rh2 Kf3 71.Rxg2 Kxg2 a heartbreaking finish for White.

Anna Muzychuk (UKR) missed a win against Aleksandra Goryachkina | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

Vaishali – Jiner: 0-1

Considering the fact that, Jiner Zhu (CHN, 2578) has always been a tough opponent for R Vaishali (2470) and Jiner defeated Vaishali earlier in this event, Vaishali probably should have played a bit more cautiously. Jiner also thrives on dynamic position, so going for an imbalance means playing into her opponent’s hand.

Position after 25…Qc6

26.Bd2 is recommended by the computer. 26.Rfb1 Rb5 27.d5? was definitely a questionable choice Nxd5 28.Qe4 Qb7 29.Bd4 h5 30.Kh1 Rg4 31.Qh7 h4 32.Qh5 Rg6 33.Qh8+ Nf8 34.a4 Rb3 35.Rxb3 cxb3 36.Nc1? the final mistake h3-+ 37.Nxb3 hxg2+ 38.Kh2 g1Q+ 39.Nxg1 Nc3 and it’s over as White must conceded heavy material to prevent checkmate.

R Vaishali suffered a tough loss against Jiner Zhu (CHN) who joined the former in the lead | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

Press Conference with R Vaishali and Jiner Zhu | Video: FIDE

Divya – Zhongyi: 0-1

The 16th Women’s World Champion, Zhongyi Tan (CHN, 2535) improved her better position gradually and defeated Divya Deshmukh (2497).

Divya Deshmukh suffered a tough loss against Zhongyi Tan (CHN) | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) won a back and forth battle against Kateryna Lagno | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

Press Conference with Bibisara Assaubayeva | Video: FIDE

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 would have been decisive if Anna had seized her opportunity | Graphic: FIDE

Standings after Round 12

Jiner Zhu caught up with R Vaishali | Graphic: FIDE

Round 13 pairings

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

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.