Missed Opportunities Mark Challenging Phase for India in 2026 FIDE Candidates Tournament

In the open section, R Praggnanandhaa, playing with the white pieces against Andrey Esipenko, secured an early advantage but failed to capitalise on the opportunities, resulting in a draw. The match was viewed as a significant chance for Praggnanandhaa to reduce the gap with the leaders in the points table, particularly as Esipenko had not been performing strongly. Throughout the match, Praggnanandhaa struggled to create decisive winning chances, while Esipenko remained steady and avoided critical mistakes. With neither player asserting clear dominance, the game concluded in a draw after 41 moves. Praggnanandhaa now stands lower in the points table with 2.5 points after five rounds, trailing tournament leader Javokhir Sindarov by two points.

The women’s section delivered mixed results for India. R Vaishali suffered a tough defeat against Zhu Jiner. Playing with the black pieces, Vaishali faced sustained pressure and ultimately resigned after a hard-fought contest. In another game, Divya Deshmukh managed to secure a draw against Tan Zhongvi, although the result did not significantly improve her position in the points table.

The women’s leaderboard remains tightly contested after five rounds, with Anna Muzychuk, Zhu Jiner, and Kateryna Lagno tied for first place with three points each. Divya and Vaishali are both on 2 points, making strong performances in the upcoming rounds essential to remain in contention.

The growing concern for India lies not only in the points gap but also in the missed opportunities that have defined the tournament so far. In the 6th round, Praggnanandhaa is set to face Hikaru Nakamura in a formidable challenge. In the women’s section, Vaishali will take on Kateryna Lagno, while Divya is scheduled to compete against Bibisara Assaubayeva, matches that could prove decisive in shaping India’s campaign.

The outcomes of these fixtures are expected to significantly influence India’s standing, as the tournament progresses into a critical phase where precision and consistency will determine survival in the race for the position.