{"id":10348,"date":"2026-04-09T02:03:44","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T02:03:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/d.sheep-mine.ts.net\/?p=10348"},"modified":"2026-04-09T02:03:44","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T02:03:44","slug":"130127263-cms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/d.sheep-mine.ts.net\/?p=10348","title":{"rendered":"FIDE Candidates: How R Vaishali crushed Divya Deshmukh in 31 moves to join lead after Round 9 | Chess News – The Times of India"},"content":{"rendered":"


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R Vaishali vs Divya Deshmukh (Photo by Niki Riga)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

NEW DELHI: In the zero-sum world of elite chess, the camaraderie between compatriots often has to be set aside at the board. This was evident on Wednesday at the Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort as India\u2019s two sensations, R Vaishali and Divya Deshmukh, faced off in a crucial Round 9 encounter at the Women’s Candidates.In what can be labelled as an apt amalgam of tactical precision and sheer domination, Vaishali dismantled Divya\u2019s defence in just 31 moves to seize the co-lead in the Women\u2019s section.<\/p>\n

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Watch<\/span><\/p>\n

Nihal Sarin Exclusive: Candidates 2026 Predictions, Anish Giri’s ‘Drawish’ Tag, and More #Chess <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Both players entered the day as table-toppers, but FIDE\u2019s regulations, designed to ensure fair play and prevent malpractice among compatriots, forced the face-off. Divya, fresh off a victory with the black pieces against Anna Muzychuk, was asked to defend with Black once again.A complete domination from Vaishali<\/span>Vaishali, wielding the white pieces, opened with the R\u00e9ti Opening. Divya\u2019s ambitious 8…a5 push down the flank failed to yield a concrete advantage, allowing Vaishali to establish her pieces on commanding squares.The game reached a boiling point at move 17; while Divya needed the stabilising 17…c5 to stay afloat, her choice of 17…Nd7 invited disaster. Immediately, Vaishali pounced with a decisive 18. Nxc6.From there, it was a downward spiral for Divya. Under mounting time pressure, the younger Indian blundered with 21…Rg6, fatally weakening her structure.By move 23, Divya had surrendered both knights, and the finality of Vaishali\u2019s 31.Rb7 prompted a quick resignation. The win means Vaishali now holds 5.5 points, and she is also the one sharing the summit with China\u2019s Zhu Jiner.Praggnanandhaa<\/span> disappoints again<\/span>In the Open section, R Praggnanandhaa\u2019s quest for a breakthrough continues to be elusive.Despite early momentum and the advantage of the white pieces against Wei Yi, the 20-year-old Indian was unable to convert his good fortune into a full point.The game followed a sophisticated d4 line where Pragg seemed to hold a slight edge throughout the middle game.Despite penetrating with 24. Qxf7+ and maintaining a persistent initiative, Wei Yi\u2019s defensive resilience held firm. After a 56-move struggle, the points were split, marking another frustrating draw for the Indian prodigy.In the Open section, Javokhir Sindarov leads the pack with 7\/9 points, while back-to-back wins for Anish Giri mean that the Dutchman is now second on the leaderboard with 5.5\/9 points.FIDE Candidates Round 9 Results \u2013 April 8, 2026<\/span>Open Section<\/span><\/p>\n

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