Indian grandmaster secures key opening win, while Divya Deshmukh and R Vaishali begin with draws in women’s section
India’s R Praggnanandhaa delivered one of the standout performances in the opening round of the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026, defeating top-seeded Anish Giri in Cyprus.
In the women’s event, Divya Deshmukh and R Vaishali both secured hard-fought draws, keeping their campaigns steady at the start of the tournament.
Key Highlights from Round One
Praggnanandhaa, playing with the white pieces, controlled the pace of the game against Giri. Over a long, strategic battle, he gradually built a positional advantage and converted it into a decisive win after more than 40 moves.
The victory is significant, as Giri entered the tournament as one of the highest-rated players. Praggnanandhaa’s composed play signals strong intent in a competition known for its intensity and narrow margins.
In another major game, Fabiano Caruana defeated Hikaru Nakamura after a marathon contest lasting over six hours. The result marked one of the longest and most closely contested matches of the opening round.
Elsewhere, Javokhir Sindarov secured a win over Andrey Esipenko, while Matthias Blübaum and Wei Yi played out a draw.
Women’s Candidates: Balanced Start
In the women’s section, the opening round saw closely fought matches rather than decisive results.
Divya Deshmukh adopted an aggressive approach against Anna Muzychuk but was unable to convert her early initiative, with the game eventually ending in a draw.
R Vaishali faced a more difficult position against Bibisara Assaubayeva. Despite time pressure, she defended accurately in the closing stages to secure a draw.
Other matches in the women’s event also ended without a winner, including games involving Zhu Jiner and Tan Zhongyi, as well as Aleksandra Goryachkina and Kateryna Lagno.
What the Candidates Tournament Means
The FIDE Candidates Tournament is one of the most important events in competitive chess. It determines the challenger who will face the reigning world champion in the next title match.
The tournament follows a double round-robin format, where each player competes against every other participant twice. This structure places a premium on consistency, as even a single loss can significantly affect standings.
Why This Matters for India
India’s strong representation in both sections reflects the country’s growing influence in global chess. Praggnanandhaa’s victory over a top seed is likely to boost his confidence and standing early in the tournament.
For Divya Deshmukh and Vaishali, holding their ground in the opening round keeps them within reach of the leaders, with ample opportunity to build momentum in later games.
What Comes Next
The tournament will continue with round two on March 30, where players will look to capitalize on early results.
With 14 rounds to be played, the competition remains wide open. However, Praggnanandhaa’s early win has already positioned him as a key contender to watch in the race for a spot in the World Chess Championship match.
Input & Images: Hindusthan Samachar
Edited by Manten Sasank
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Last Updated on: Monday, March 30, 2026 10:50 am by Mantena Sasank | Published by: Mantena Sasank on Monday, March 30, 2026 10:50 am | News Categories: Sports