The momentum swings toward Sindarov, while the women’s race is transformed

The 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament took a decisive turn in round 10, significantly shaping the fight for first place in both the Open and Women’s sections. The standout result of the day came from GM Javokhir Sindarov, who defeated GM R Praggnanandhaa to extend his lead to two full points. This result matters not only in the standings, but also in psychological terms. In a Candidates event—an eight-player double round robin whose winner earns the right to challenge the reigning world champion—reaching the final stretch with such a cushion can prove enormous.

Sindarov’s win also stood out as a record-breaking achievement. His closest chaser is now GM Anish Giri, but Giri’s draw with GM Hikaru Nakamura further strengthened the leader’s position. While the mathematical possibilities are not yet entirely closed, the number of players with a realistic path to first has dropped sharply. In another major game of the round, GM Fabiano Caruana took serious risks with the black pieces by choosing the razor-sharp Winawer French Defense, yet GM Wei Yi answered with a solid and controlled approach, never allowing the American grandmaster genuine winning chances. Meanwhile, the game between GM Andrey Esipenko and GM Matthias Bluebaum was the calmest draw of the round.

In the Women’s Candidates, the biggest winner of the day was GM Vaishali Rameshbabu. With GM Zhu Jiner losing to GM Bibisara Assaubayeva and GM Divya Deshmukh falling to GM Aleksandra Goryachkina, Vaishali moved into sole first place. The dramatic shift in the women’s standings underlined just how tense every round has become. As the tournament enters its final phase, success depends not only on opening preparation, but also on stamina, composure, and the ability to capitalize on key moments.

Lichess’s extensive coverage has added extra depth to the event, with annotated games, round recaps, interviews, and video content throughout the tournament. Historically, the Candidates used to be played as a knockout event, but since 2013 it has been held as an eight-player double round robin, a format that rewards consistency at the highest level. After round 10, the overall picture is becoming clearer: in the Open, Sindarov has created a major break from the field, while in the Women’s event, Vaishali has seized the initiative at a critical moment and appears to hold the psychological edge in the title race.