FIDE Women’s Candidates 2026 R5: Kateryna Lagno and Jiner Zhu join Anna Muzychuk to make it a three-way lead

By admin April 4, 2026 0 comments

Anna Muzychuk (UKR) drew her game against Aleksandra Goryachkina in Round 5 of FIDE Women’s Candidates 2026. Kateryna Lagno and Jiner Zhu (CHN) defeated Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) and R Vaishali respectively. Thus, Kateryna and Jiner joined Anna in the lead at 3/5 each. Jiner and Anna will face each other in the sixth round. Divya Deshmukh played a well contested draw against Zhongyi Tan (CHN).

Divya Deshmukh splits the point against 16th Women’s World Champion – Zhongyi Tan

Divya Deshmukh played well against the 16th Women’s World Chess Champion, Zhongyi Tan (CHN) to a draw. This is especially a great result for Divya considering the fact that Zhongyi won three of their past five Classical encounters and Divya never scoring a win against her.

Goryachkina – Anna: 0.5-0.5

Aleksandra Goryachkina (2534) and Anna Muzychuk (UKR, 2522) have played 13 Classical rated games against each other. Goryachkina won two, Anna one and the remaining ten games ended in draws. Their 14th Classical game also ended in a draw.

Aleksandra Goryachkina – Anna Muzychuk (UKR): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: FIDE / Yoav Nis

Jiner – Vaishali: 1-0

Jiner Zhu (CHN, 2578) has always been a tough opponent for R Vaishali (2470). Jiner won three of their five encounters, all of them with the white pieces and the remaining two ended in draws. Their sixth Classical battle also went in favor of the Chinese. Vaishali got into a worse position early in the middlegame and could not recover for the rest of the game.

Jiner Zhu (CHN) – R Vaishali: 1-0 | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

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

Zhongyi – Divya: 0.5-0.5

The 16th Women’s World Chess Champion, Zhongyi Tan (CHN, 2535) and Divya Deshmukh (2497) have played five Classical rated games against each other. Zhongyi won three and the remaining two ended in draws. Divya played a well contested draw in their sixth Classical encounter.

Divya Deshmukh played a well contested draw against the 16th Women’s World Chess Champion – Zhongyi Tan (CHN) | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Kateryna – Bibisara: 1-0

The three-tiem World Blitz Women champions, Kateryna Lagno (2508) and Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ, 2516) eight Classical rated games against each other. Kateryna won one and the remaining seven ended in draws. After making a thematic exchange sacrifice in the Sicilian Dragon, Bibisara missed a tactic, made an incorrect knight retreat. White kept liquidating pieces and eventually used her material advantage to win the game.

Kateryna Lagno defeated Bibisara Assaubayeva to join the lead with Jiner Zhu and Anna Muzychuk | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Press Conference with Kateryna Lagno and Bibisara Assaubayeva | Video: FIDE

The 16th Women’s World Chess Champion – Zhongyi Tan signs autographs and takes photographs with her fans | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Replay Round 5 live stream

Replay Round 5 live commentary by GM Peter Svidler and GM Jan Gustafsson | Video: FIDE

Replay Round 5 games

Round 5 results

Two games ended decisively for the third round in-a-row| Graphic: FIDE

Standings after Round 5

Kateryna Lagno, Anna Muzychuk and Jiner Zhu are at 3/5 each | Graphic: FIDE

Round 6 pairings

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

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.