Javokhir Sindarov’s dream run at the FIDE Candidates 2026 shows no signs of slowing down. The Uzbek Grandmaster delivered yet another commanding performance in Round 6, outplaying China’s Wei Yi to secure his fifth win in six games and tighten his grip at the top of the standings.
With 5.5/6, Sindarov is not just leading, he’s building what could turn into a historic campaign.
Javokhir Sindarov Outclasses Wei Yi in Candidates 2026
Once again, Sindarov demonstrated both his ability to remain calm when playing against the white pieces and his excellent knowledge of positional and strategic chess. Even though there had been some resistance from Wei Yi in the beginning, by winning control of the centre and developing his pieces well, Sindarov succeeded in forcing Wei Yi into a passive position.
The issue for Wei Yi in the Candidates was that, with his time running low, he had no alternative but to give up. Sindarov won smoothly, reinforcing his position of dominance in the event thus far.
As the leader of the event, the 20-year-old is well on his way to putting together a result that will place him in the record book, and he has half of the tournament to play.
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R Praggnanandhaa Holds Nakamura to a Draw
In another key matchup, R Praggnanandhaa and Hikaru Nakamura played out a tense draw. The game saw moments of tactical tension, but neither player managed to find a decisive breakthrough.
The result keeps Praggnanandhaa in the chasing pack, while Nakamura continues to struggle to gain momentum in the candidates’ tournament.
Divya Deshmukh Breaks Through
In the Women’s Candidates, Divya Deshmukh finally opened her account with a much-needed victory over Bibisara Assaubayeva.
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After a mixed start to her campaign, the Indian Grandmaster held her nerve in a balanced middlegame, then capitalised on key moments to secure the full point. The win could prove crucial in rebuilding her momentum going forward.
Vaishali Climbs as Women’s Race Intensifies
R Vaishali continued her strong run, defeating Kateryna Lagno to climb further up the standings. The victory places her firmly among the top contenders in what is shaping up to be a tightly contested race.
Meanwhile, Anna Muzychuk kept her lead intact with a win over Zhu Jiner, ensuring the battle at the top remains wide open.
Sindarov’s performance through six rounds of this tournament has completely transformed him from a fledgling participant into one of the top contenders for victory.
Following his fifth win, he has also built quite a bit of confidence and momentum in the candidate’s tournament.
Also Read: Grenke Chess Festival 2026: Magnus Carlsen Goes 10/10 on Opening Day in Karlsruhe
