FIDE Women’s Candidates 2026 R9: Vaishali crushes Divya to maintain her lead with Jiner

By admin April 9, 2026 0 comments

R Vaishali crushed her compatriot Divya Deshmukh in Round 9 of FIDE Women’s Candidates 2026. Jiner Zhu (CHN) defeated Kateryna Lagno to move to 5.5/9. Both Vaishali and Jiner are the coleaders. Anna Muzychuk (UKR) missed a good opportunity to beat Zhongyi Tan (CHN) and stay at the top.

Vaishali aiming to become the World Championship Challenger

R Vaishali scored her third win of the event, first one against Divya Deshmukh. She will face Anna Muzychuk in Round 10, her immediate pursuer. With five rounds to go, this will be a crucial game for her.

R Vaishali crushed Divya Deshmukh | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Jiner Zhu got the better of Kateryna Lagno | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Zhongyi – Anna: 0.5-0.5

The rematch between Zhongyi Tan (CHN, 2535) and Anna Muzychuk (UKR, 2522) ended in a draw. However, Anna got a small window of opportunity in the rook and opposite color bishop endgame.

Position after 34.Rh3

36…fxg5 and Kf5 are recommended by the computer. Instead, Black played 34…Rb7 35.Bc5 Kf5 36.Rxh7 Kxf4 37.Rxe7 Black’s advantage waned and the game eventually ended in a draw.

Anna Muzychuk (UKR) missed a good chance against Zhongyi Tan (CHN)| Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

Jiner – Kateryna: 1-0

Kateryna lagno (2508) made a late error in the rook and knight vs rook and bishop endgame against Jiner Zhu (CHN, 2578). It cost her the game.

Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) – R Vaishali: 0.5-0.5 | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Lagno – Goryachkina: 1-0

Aleksandra Goryachkina (2534) made a mistake early in the middlegame arising out of Scotch Game against Kateryna Lagno (2508). The former lost a pawn and could not recover for the rest of the game.

Position after 33.Nc4

Where should the bishop move to? 33…Bg7?? was played and that cost her a pawn after 34.Nd6+- Kg8 35.Rg3 Kh7 36.Nxf7 and White won the game in ten more moves.

Jiner Zhu defeated Kateryna Lagno to stay in the lead 5.5/9 | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

Interview with Jiner Zhu | Video: FIDE

Aleksandra Goryachkina – Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

Vaishali – Divya: 1-0

Divya Deshmukh (2497) dropped a pawn early in the middlegame against R Vaishali (2470).

Position after 22.Kh2

In a difficult position, Black went wrong 22…Nd3?? 23.Rxd3!+- exd3 24.c5 Rxc6 25.dxc6 Bc7 26.Qd7 Qb8 27.Be5 Bxe5 28.Rb1 Qf8 29.fxe5 h5 30.Qd6 Qf7 31.Rb7 and it’s over.

R Vaishali crushed Divya Deshmukh | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

Press Conference with R Vaishali and Divya Deshmukh | Video: FIDE

R Vaishali with her fans | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

Replay Round 9 live stream

Replay Round 9 live commentary by GM Peter Svidler and GM Jan Gustafsson | Video: FIDE

Replay Round 9 games

Round 9 results

Jiner Zhu and R Vaishali won their respective games to stay in the lead | Graphic: FIDE

Standings after Round 9

R Vaishali and Jiner Zhu are in the lead 5.5/8 | Graphic: FIDE

Round 10 pairings

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

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.