A huge step toward the title for Sindarov

The most striking result of the day at the FIDE Candidates Tournament in Cyprus was Javokhir Sindarov’s impressive victory over Indian star R Praggnanandhaa. In a game widely seen as one of the pivotal moments of the event, Sindarov imposed himself through strong opening preparation and dynamic decisions in the middlegame, tightening his grip on first place. With only four rounds remaining, the young Uzbek grandmaster now stands two full points clear of the field, making him the leading favorite for overall victory.

This result means far more than a single win. In an event as balanced and psychologically demanding as the Candidates, a two-point cushion represents a major strategic advantage. Sindarov’s confidence across all phases of the game, his ability to calculate accurately in critical moments, and his knack for maintaining the initiative have been among the key factors behind his surge. For Praggnanandhaa, by contrast, the loss is a serious setback in the race for first place; from here, he must not only recover his form but also hope the leaders drop points in the closing rounds.

The Women’s Candidates race is alive again

In the Women’s Candidates Tournament, the standings have become even more competitive. Vaishali remains in first place, but Round 10 wins by Bibisara Assaubayeva and Aleksandra Goryachkina have tightened the race considerably. The return of experienced contenders to the spotlight raises the stakes ahead of the final four rounds, where every half-point could prove decisive. At this stage, success will depend not only on winning games, but also on choosing the right moments to take risks and showing resilience under pressure.

The situation in the women’s section points to a multi-sided battle in the final stretch. Although Vaishali still occupies the top spot, the renewed momentum of her closest challengers suggests that psychological advantage alone will not be enough. Assaubayeva’s energetic style and Goryachkina’s elite-level tournament experience could make the finish especially dramatic. This prestigious FIDE event is being followed closely not just for its Candidates implications, but also for what it reveals about the changing balance of power in modern chess.

With official broadcasts and grandmaster commentary accompanying the action, the games in Cyprus continue to offer top-class chess, from opening preparation to endgame technique. Every round now carries the weight of a final, and all eyes are on whether Sindarov can preserve his commanding lead and who will best handle the closing sprint in the Women’s Candidates.