A rapid counterattack and sacrifice

Announcing our schedule for upcoming Titled Arenas!

GM Javokhir Sindarov, who finished the Open Candidates on 10/14, will face reignnig world champion GM Gukesh D in a match later this year, while GM Vaishali Rameshbabu, who finished the Women’s Candidates on 8.5/14, will similary face reigning women’s world champion GM Ju Wenjun.

GM Javokhir Sindarov is the 2026 World Championship Challenger after drawing GM Anish Giri, while the Women’s remains wide open, with GM Bibisara Assaubayeva and GM Vaishali Rameshbabu in the joint lead and GM Zhu Jiner half a point behind.

GM Javokhir Sindarov needs just one draw in the next two games to win the 2026 FIDE Candidates, while the Women’s Candidates remains wide open as GM Vaishali Rameshbabu is now in shared first with GM Zhu Jiner following Zhu’s win against Vaishali in today’s round.