At the halfway mark of the Candidates Tournament 2026, two contrasting narratives have emerged. While R Vaishali has surged into contention in the women’s section, R Praggnanandhaa is struggling to keep pace with the dominant Javokhir Sindarov in the Open category.

Open category tilting towards Sindarov

The Open section appears increasingly one-sided. Sindarov has built a strong lead, showcasing consistency, preparation, and composure under pressure. His performance is drawing comparisons to Ian Nepomniachtchi’s dominant 2022 Candidates run.

For Praggnanandhaa, the path ahead looks extremely difficult. To stay in contention, he would likely need five or six wins from the remaining rounds—an uphill task that also depends on Sindarov dropping points.

If current trends continue, a World Championship clash between Sindarov and Gukesh Dommaraju now looks increasingly probable, reducing hopes of an all-Indian final.

Vaishali ignites title race in women’s section

In contrast, the women’s section is wide open—and Vaishali is right in the mix. Back-to-back wins have brought her within touching distance of leader Anna Muzychuk.

After a setback against Zhu Jiner in Round 5, Vaishali bounced back strongly, demonstrating resilience and improved tactical sharpness.

Her victories in Rounds 6 and 7 highlighted her ability to capitalise on opponents’ errors under pressure, putting her firmly in the title race—and raising the possibility of a future clash with Ju Wenjun.

What’s working for Vaishali

Vaishali’s campaign has been built on:

  • Solid openings, especially with King’s Pawn structures
  • Composure in early rounds, securing stable draws
  • Tactical awareness, capitalising on late-game errors

Even after her Round 5 loss—triggered by a single inaccuracy—she showed strong mental recovery, which is often decisive in long tournaments like the Candidates.

Divya Deshmukh’s missed opportunity

Divya Deshmukh has had a mixed tournament so far. While her win over Bibisara Assaubayeva showed promise, a missed opportunity against Kateryna Lagno could prove costly.

In a gruelling 135-move game, Divya held the advantage for long stretches but failed to convert, letting a potential win slip into a draw—a reminder of how unforgiving elite chess can be.

Big picture: India’s mixed fortunes

At this stage:

  • Open category: India’s hopes are fading as Sindarov pulls ahead
  • Women’s category: Vaishali is emerging as a serious contender

The dream of an all-Indian World Championship match is slipping, but India still has strong representation in the women’s race.

Conclusion

With seven rounds still to play, the tournament remains dynamic—but momentum is key. Sindarov looks firmly in control of the Open section, while Vaishali’s resurgence has injected excitement into the women’s race.

For Indian fans, attention may now increasingly shift toward Vaishali’s campaign, as she carries the country’s strongest hopes of a Candidates triumph in 2026.