Javokhir Sindarov and Vaishali Rameshbabu Triumph in Chess Candidates Events
Chess: Sindarov wins Candidates with record total, while Vaishali takes women’s event
The Guardian
Image: The Guardian
Javokhir Sindarov, a 20-year-old from Uzbekistan, won the world championship Candidates in Pegeia, Cyprus, with a record score of 10/14, while India's Vaishali Rameshbabu claimed the women's Candidates title, finishing with 8.5 points. Both players will advance to their respective championship matches in the future.
- 01Javokhir Sindarov achieved a record total of 10/14 in the Candidates tournament.
- 02Vaishali Rameshbabu won the women's Candidates with a score of 8.5 points.
- 03Sindarov's performance included six wins and eight draws, the highest since 2013.
- 04Both Sindarov and Gukesh Dommaraju will compete in the world championship match in 2026.
- 05Vaishali overcame a poor start to lead the women's tournament, showcasing remarkable resilience.
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Javokhir Sindarov from Uzbekistan dominated the world championship Candidates tournament held in Pegeia, Cyprus, finishing with a record score of 10/14, 1.5 points ahead of his closest competitor, Anish Giri from the Netherlands. Sindarov's performance, which included six victories and eight draws, is the highest total since the current Candidates format was introduced in 2013. He will face Gukesh Dommaraju, the reigning world champion from India, in a match scheduled for the second half of 2026. Meanwhile, in the women's Candidates, India's Vaishali Rameshbabu, initially struggling with zero wins after five rounds, rallied to finish with 8.5 points, edging out Kazakhstan's Bibisara Assaubayeva. Vaishali's journey highlights her determination and skill, especially as she secured her victory despite a challenging start. The upcoming championship match will see Vaishali challenge five-time reigning champion Ju Wenjun, who holds a peak rating above 2600. The chess community is also buzzing with the potential return of Magnus Carlsen, the world No. 1, to classical chess, particularly if a match against Sindarov becomes a possibility.
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Sindarov's victory and subsequent championship match could inspire a new generation of chess players in Uzbekistan and worldwide, while Vaishali's success may boost interest in women's chess in India.
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