Candidates Chess: Sole leader Vaishali takes on Goryachkina after the third rest day

With R. Praggnanandhaa out of contention, focus has shifted to his sister R. Vaishali, who enters Round 11 of the Women’s Candidates tournament as the sole leader, boosting her chances of sealing the title when play resumes on Saturday (April 11, 2026) after the rest day.

Vaishali, on six points, faces Russia’s Aleksandra Goryachkina in the next round, aiming to extend her lead and strengthen her bid for the title, which would earn her a shot at reigning world champion Ju Wenjun later this year.