Sindarov settles for a controlled draw and opens a two-point gap
After the second rest day, the players returned to the boards for the first round of the event’s second half in the FIDE Candidates Tournament. The key development of the day was leader Javokhir Sindarov holding Andrey Esipenko to a solid draw with the black pieces. Combined with Fabiano Caruana’s loss to Hikaru Nakamura, that result allowed Sindarov to move a full two points clear of the chasing pack. At this stage of the tournament, such a margin matters not only in the standings but also in psychological terms, as the leader can begin to dictate the pace of the race.
Esipenko had been expected to press the leader, and commentator GM Peter Svidler highlighted that possibility before the round began. However, Sindarov looked extremely well prepared in a main-line Catalan Opening, playing the opening phase almost at blitz speed and building a major lead on the clock. At elite level, this kind of preparation is not only about equalising from the opening but also about forcing the opponent into long, technical decisions later on. Meanwhile, Anish Giri was the player who kept the race from slipping away entirely, defeating Praggnanandhaa R with a polished technical performance and narrowing the gap slightly going into the remaining rounds.
Women’s Candidates wide open as five players share first place
The picture in the FIDE Women’s Candidates became even more dramatic. In the day’s headline result, Anna Muzychuk lost to rising Indian star Divya Deshmukh, and that defeat produced a five-way tie for first place. With three decisive games in round eight, the women’s event once again underlined just how balanced and fiercely competitive the field is. The fact that the tournament now looks completely open could lead to even sharper preparation and a greater willingness to take risks in the closing rounds.
The round at the Cap St. Georges Hotel & Resort in Cyprus also drew attention for its distinguished guests. Former Brazil international, Arsenal, Chelsea and PSG defender, and UEFA Champions League winner David Luiz made the ceremonial first move in Esipenko–Sindarov. The Muzychuk–Divya game was opened by Moshe Slav, FIDE Delegate representing Israel and a member of the European Chess Union Board. The visibility surrounding the event shows how FIDE continues to present the Candidates not merely as an elite sporting contest, but also as a global showcase for chess.
Looking at the overall picture, Sindarov’s momentum in the open section is currently the central storyline of the tournament. Even so, in a long and exhausting event like the Candidates, the balance can shift quickly over just a few rounds. In the women’s event, by contrast, it is becoming increasingly difficult to identify a single clear favourite; the five-way tie at the top points to a finale in which every round could reshape the standings. In short, the action in Cyprus continues to deliver both high-level chess and genuine championship drama.