Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa delivered a major upset in the opening round of the FIDE Candidates 2026, defeating top-seeded Anish Giri in Cyprus.
In the women’s section, India’s Divya Deshmukh and R Vaishali secured draws in their respective matches, ensuring a stable start to their campaigns.
Key Announcements / Highlights
- Praggnanandhaa defeats top seed Anish Giri in Round 1
- Divya Deshmukh and R Vaishali begin with hard-fought draws
- Fabiano Caruana wins longest game against Hikaru Nakamura
- Competitive start across both Open and Women’s sections
- Tournament being held in Cyprus
Official Statement
Playing with the white pieces, Praggnanandhaa adopted a patient, strategic approach. Over more than 40 moves, he gradually built a positional advantage, eventually converting it into a win against the higher-rated Giri.
The victory is being seen as a strong opening statement from the young Indian, who entered the tournament as a contender but not among the top favourites.
In the women’s event, Divya Deshmukh pushed aggressively against Anna Muzychuk before the game settled into a draw. Meanwhile, Vaishali showed resilience to recover from a difficult position against Bibisara Assaubayeva and secure a half-point.
Context / Background
The FIDE Candidates Tournament determines the challenger for the World Chess Championship and features some of the world’s top players competing in a double round-robin format.
A strong start is crucial in the 14-round event, as early wins can significantly influence momentum and standings.
Other notable results included Fabiano Caruana defeating Hikaru Nakamura after a marathon game lasting over six hours.
Public Impact
India’s performance in elite chess tournaments continues to draw global attention, reflecting the country’s growing strength in the sport.
Praggnanandhaa’s victory, in particular, highlights the emergence of young Indian players competing successfully against established global names.
For fans, the early results signal a closely contested tournament with no clear frontrunner yet.
Conclusion
With the first round completed, attention now turns to the upcoming matches, where players will look to build on early momentum.
Praggnanandhaa’s opening win has already positioned him as a key player to watch, while Divya Deshmukh and Vaishali aim to convert their steady starts into stronger results in the rounds ahead.
Input & Images : Hindusthan Samachar
Last Updated on: Monday, March 30, 2026 4:38 pm by Monisha Angara | Published by: Monisha Angara on Monday, March 30, 2026 4:38 pm | News Categories: Sports
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