[Event "FIDE Candidates 2026"]
[Site "Pegeia CYP"]
[Date "2026.03.31"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Praggnanandhaa, R."]
[Black "Sindarov, Javokhir"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "Mark Crowther"]
[ECO "D37"]
[EventDate "2026.03.29"]

1.d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Be7 4. Nf3 Nf6 5. Bf4 O-O 6. e3 c5 7. dxc5 Bxc5 8. a3 Nc6 9. Qc2 Re8 10. Bg5 {D37: Queen's Gambit Declined: 5 Bf4.} d4 11. Bxf6 Qxf6 12. Ne4 {[%csl Bc5,Bf6] White is slightly better.} Qf5 13. b4 Nxb4 $146 {[%eval 60,21] [%wdl 128,872,0]} ({Predecessor:} 13... Bf8 14. b5 Ne5 15. Nxd4 Qg6 16. g3 a6 17. Bg2 Bd7 18. bxa6 bxa6 19. c5 Rac8 {½-½ Machycek,L (2394)-Wydornik,R (2196) FIN jub50 sf11 email ICCF email 2014}) 14. axb4 $14 {A sharp opening} Bxb4+ 15. Kd1 dxe3 16. Bd3 {[%eval 31,19] [%wdl 24,975,1]} (16. fxe3 {[%eval 69,19] [%wdl 158,842,0] is more appropriate.} Rd8+ 17. Ke2) 16... Qg6 $1 {Sindarov liked this move very much.} 17. fxe3 f5 $1 18. Ng3 {Strongly threatening Qa4.} Bc5 {[%eval 56,19] [%wdl 84,916,0]} (18... Qf6 $11 {[%eval 4,19] [%wdl 5,992,3]} 19. Ke2 b6) 19. Qc3 $2 {[%eval -53,18] [%wdl 0,928,72] The game turns here.} (19. e4 $14 {[%eval 56,19] [%wdl 84,916,0]}) 19... e5 $1 $15 {[%cal Be6e5,Be5e4][%mdl 1056] Black has compensation.} 20. Bc2 {[%cal Od1c1]} (20. Nxe5 $2 Qf6 21. Kc2 Rxe5 $19) 20... e4 $1 21. Nd2 Rd8 22. Kc1 Qg5 23. Re1 Qe7 24. Re2 {[%eval -116,18] [%wdl 0,294,706]} (24. Rd1 $11 {[%eval -28,20] [%wdl 1,980,19] keeps the balance.}) 24... Bb4 $17 25. Qb2 {[#]} a5 {[%eval -74,16] [%wdl 0,809,191]} ({Better is} 25... Be6 $1 {[%eval -119,17] [%wdl 0,260,740]} 26. Nb3 g6 (26... Bxc4 27. Nxf5 Qc7 28. Rf2 $15)) 26. Nb3 Ra6 27. Nd4 Qg5 $6 {[%eval -2,24] [%wdl 4,991,5]} (27... g6 $17 {[%eval -75,18] [%wdl 0,798,202]}) 28. Kb1 $11 h5 $36 {[%mdl 2048] Black has the initiative.} 29. Ka2 h4 30. Nf1 Bd7 31. Rd1 Rc8 {[%cal Oa6b6]} 32. Nd2 Rb6 $1 33. c5 $2 {[%eval -248,15] [%wdl 0,0,1000] a serious mistake.} Rxc5 34. Qb3+ {[%eval -354,18] [%wdl 0,0,1000]} (34. Nc4 {[%eval -172,20] [%wdl 0,18,982]} Rh6 (34... Rxc4 35. Bb3 $16 {[%mdl 64] Pin}) 35. Nb3 Rxc4 36. Rxd7) 34... Kh8 $19 35. Qf7 {[%eval -561,17] [%wdl 0,0,1000] [#]} (35. Nxe4 {[%eval -329,20] [%wdl 0,0,1000] keeps fighting.} fxe4 36. Rf1) 35... Rxc2+ $1 {[%mdl 576]} 36. Kb1 (36. Nxc2 Be6+) 36... Rxd2 37. Rdxd2 Bxd2+ {[%csl Ob1][%mdl 64]} 38. Ka2 Bxe3 39. Qxd7 Bxd4 40. Qxd4 Qf6 0-1

[Event "FIDE Candidates 2026"]
[Site "Pegeia CYP"]
[Date "2026.03.31"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Black "Wei Yi"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "Mark Crowther"]
[ECO "A15"]
[EventDate "2026.03.29"]

1.Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. g3 g6 4. Nc3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. Bg2 Bg7 7. Qa4+ Nc6 8. Ng5 Nb6 $146 {An interesting new idea.} ({Predecessor:} 8... e6 9. Nge4 Nb6 10. Qd1 Qe7 11. d3 h6 12. Be3 Nd4 13. a4 O-O 14. a5 Nd7 15. O-O {1-0 Artemiev,V (2701)-Raja,R (2521) Qatar Masters op-A Doha 2024 (7)}) 9. Bxc6+ {The position is equal.} bxc6 10. Qxc6+ Bd7 11. Qxc5 h6 $1 12. Nf3 Rc8 13. Qa5 Bh3 14. Qb5+ Nd7 15. Rg1 O-O (15... Be6 {is really the best idea.}) 16. g4 $1 Rc5 $2 {[%eval 90,17] [%wdl 374,626,0] [#]} (16... Nf6 $11 {[%eval 23,19] [%wdl 21,977,2]}) 17. Qb3 $1 $16 {aiming for d4.} Ne5 $2 {[%eval 319,14] [%wdl 1000,0,0]} (17... Qc7 $16 {[%eval 91,20] [%wdl 390,610,0] keeps fighting.}) 18. Nxe5 $18 Rxe5 19. Nd1 {and a piece has gone west.} 1-0

[Event "FIDE Candidates 2026"]
[Site "Pegeia CYP"]
[Date "2026.03.31"]
[Round "3.3"]
[White "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "Mark Crowther"]
[ECO "A28"]
[EventDate "2026.03.29"]

1.c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 e5 3. Nf3 Nc6 4. d3 d5 5. cxd5 Nxd5 6. e4 Nf6 {A28: English Opening: Four Knights Variation.} 7. Be2 Bg4 8. Be3 {Against Bc5} Qd7 9. O-O Bxf3 10. Bxf3 Nd4 $146 ({Predecessor:} 10... Rd8 11. Nd5 Be7 12. d4 exd4 13. Bxd4 Nxd4 14. Qxd4 c6 15. Nxf6+ Bxf6 16. Qxa7 O-O 17. Rad1 Bd4 18. Qa4 c5 {½-½ Denk,S (1946)-Kraich,K (2100) Regionalliga NW 0809 Bayern 2008 (3.3)}) 11. g3 Bc5 12. Rc1 Bb6 13. Bg2 O-O 14. Na4 Rfd8 15. a3 h6 16. Re1 Rac8 17. h3 Ne6 18. Nxb6 axb6 19. Bf1 c5 20. Qe2 Nd4 21. Bxd4 Qxd4 22. Rc4 Qd7 23. b4 Ne8 24. bxc5 bxc5 25. Qb2 Nd6 26. Rcc1 Re8 27. Rb1 b5 28. Rec1 Qe6 29. Qb3 c4 30. Qb4 Rc7 31. a4 bxa4 32. Qxa4 Qe7 33. Rc3 Rec8 34. Bg2 cxd3 35. Rxd3 Ne8 36. Qa3 Qxa3 37. Rxa3 Rc1+ 38. Rxc1 Rxc1+ 39. Bf1 Nf6 40. Kg2 g6 41. Ra5 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE Candidates 2026"]
[Site "Pegeia CYP"]
[Date "2026.03.31"]
[Round "3.4"]
[White "Bluebaum, Matthias"]
[Black "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "Mark Crowther"]
[ECO "D37"]
[EventDate "2026.03.29"]

1.d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 Nf6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. cxd5 exd5 6. Bf4 O-O 7. e3 c5 8. dxc5 Bxc5 9. Be2 Nc6 10. O-O Be6 11. Rc1 Rc8 12. Bd3 h6 13. h3 a6 14. Bb1 $146 {White is slightly better.} ({Predecessor:} 14. a3 Qe7 15. Bb1 Rfd8 16. Nd4 Nxd4 17. exd4 Bd6 18. Qd2 Bxf4 19. Qxf4 Nh5 20. Qe5 {½-½ Tjiam,D (2379)-Pliester,L (2374) Bussum op 2009 (5)}) 14... Qe7 15. Re1 Rfd8 16. Re2 {[%eval -10,22] [%wdl 9,970,21]} (16. Nd4 $142 {[%eval 30,21] [%wdl 48,948,4]}) 16... d4 17. exd4 Nxd4 18. Rd2 {[%cal Rf3d4]} Nxf3+ 19. Qxf3 Rxd2 20. Bxd2 Rd8 21. Be3 Bxe3 22. Qxe3 Kf8 (22... Qb4 {keeps more tension.} 23. Qe2 Qf4 24. Rd1 Rxd1+ 25. Qxd1 g6) 23. a3 Bd7 24. Qxe7+ Kxe7 25. Re1+ Be6 26. Ne4 b6 27. Rc1 Rd4 28. Nc3 {[%eval -73,22] [%wdl 0,850,150] [#]} (28. Ng3 $11 {[%eval -22,22] [%wdl 0,994,6] remains equal.}) 28... Bc4 {[%eval -18,22] [%wdl 0,995,5]} (28... Nd5 $1 $17 {[%eval -73,22] [%wdl 0,850,150][%cal Rd5c3] Threatens to win with ...Nxc3.} 29. Nxd5+ Bxd5 (29... Rxd5 30. Be4 $15)) 29. Rd1 Rxd1+ 30. Nxd1 $15 {[%mdl 4096] Endgame KBN-KBN} Nd5 {[%eval 0,44] [%wdl 1,997,2]} (30... Kd6 $15 {[%eval -36,25] [%wdl 0,985,15] feels stronger.}) 31. Ne3 Nxe3 32. fxe3 $11 {KB-KB} g5 {The position is equal.} 33. g3 Kd6 34. Kf2 Ke5 35. h4 f6 36. Bc2 a5 37. Kf3 Be6 38. Bd3 Bd7 39. Bc2 Bc8 40. Bd3 Bd7 41. Bc2 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE Women Candidates"]
[Site "Pegeia CYP"]
[Date "2026.03.31"]
[Round "3.1"]
[White "Goryachkina, Aleksandra"]
[Black "Divya, Deshmukh"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "Mark Crowther"]
[ECO "B31"]
[EventDate "2026.03.29"]

1.e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 g6 4. Bxc6 bxc6 5. O-O Bg7 6. Re1 Qc7 7. d3 d6 {[#]} 8. e5 $1 dxe5 {[%cal Oc5c4] White is slightly better.} 9. Na3 Nf6 {[%cal Bg8f6,Bf6d5,Bd5e3][%mdl 32]} 10. Nxe5 Nd5 {Prevents Bf4.} 11. Nac4 {[%csl Oa7,Oc5,Oc6] Black has weak pawns} O-O 12. Qe2 f6 13. Nf3 {A dynamic duo of knights.} e5 14. Be3 Bg4 15. h3 Nxe3 16. Qxe3 Bxf3 17. Qxf3 Rad8 18. Re2 h5 19. Rae1 Kh7 {[%eval 156,19] [%wdl 965,35,0]} ({Black should try} 19... Bh6 $14 {[%eval 67,22] [%wdl 125,875,0]}) 20. h4 {[%eval 65,29] [%wdl 112,888,0]} ({Better is} 20. g4 $16 {[%eval 156,19] [%wdl 965,35,0]}) 20... Rd5 21. g3 Rf7 22. Qg2 {White is more active.} Rd8 23. b3 Rd5 24. Qf3 Rf8 25. Re3 Bh6 26. Re4 {[%csl Oc4] Strong Square White (c4)} Bg7 27. Qg2 Rf7 28. Kh1 Rd4 29. a4 Bf8 30. Nd2 Bh6 31. Nf3 Rxe4 32. Rxe4 Qd7 33. Kg1 Qd5 34. Rc4 Rb7 35. Nh2 Qd6 36. Qe4 Bf8 37. Qe3 Rd7 38. Nf3 Qd5 39. Kh2 Bh6 40. Qe2 (40. Qxc5 $2 Qxf3 41. Kg1 Kg7 42. Qxc6 Qxc6 43. Rxc6 a5 $19) 40... Rd8 41. Nd2 Bxd2 {[%eval 272,21] [%wdl 1000,0,0]} (41... f5 $16 {[%eval 75,21] [%wdl 167,833,0]}) 42. Qxd2 $16 {[%mdl 4096] Endgame KQR-KQR} e4 {[%cal Re4d3]} 43. Qa5 (43. Rxe4 $2 Qxe4 44. Qc3 Qe5 45. Qxe5 fxe5 $19) 43... exd3 44. cxd3 (44. Qxc5 $2 Qxc5 45. Rxc5 d2 $19) (44. Rxc5 $2 Qd4 $19) (44. Qxa7+ $2 Rd7 $19) 44... Rd7 45. Qxc5 (45. Rxc5 Qd4 46. Kg2 (46. Rxc6 $2 Qxf2+ 47. Kh3 g5 $19) 46... Qxd3 $16) 45... Qxc5 46. Rxc5 Rxd3 47. Rxc6 $18 {KR-KR. White is a pawn up.} f5 {[%cal Oh7h6]} 48. Rc7+ Kh6 49. Rb7 ({Less strong is} 49. Rxa7 Rxb3 50. Kg2 Ra3 $16) 49... a5 50. Kg2 Rc3 51. Kf1 Rc1+ 52. Ke2 Rc3 53. f3 Rc2+ {[#]} 54. Ke3 $1 Rc3+ 55. Kf4 Rd3 56. Rb5 Rc3 57. Rxa5 Rxb3 58. Ra8 Rb4+ 59. Ke5 Rb3 60. Kf6 Kh7 {[%eval 464,17] [%wdl 1000,0,0][%mdl 8192] Inhibits Rh8+.} (60... Rb6+ $16 {[%eval 113,21] [%wdl 701,299,0]} 61. Kf7 Rb7+ 62. Kf8 f4 63. gxf4 Rb4) 61. Ra7+ Kh6 62. Kf7 Kh7 63. Kf8+ Kh8 {[#]} 64. Ra6 $2 {[%eval 41,25] [%wdl 20,980,0]} (64. Kf7 $1 $18 {[%eval 442,18] [%wdl 1000,0,0][%cal Rf7g6]}) 64... Kh7 $2 {[%eval 386,19] [%wdl 1000,0,0][%mdl 8192]} (64... Rxf3 $14 {[%eval 41,25] [%wdl 20,980,0]} 65. Rxg6 Kh7) 65. Kf7 $2 {[%eval 0,59] [%wdl 1,998,1]} ({Only move:} 65. Ra7+ $18 {[%eval 386,19] [%wdl 1000,0,0]} Kh8 66. Kf7) 65... Rxf3 $11 {The position is equal.} 66. Rxg6 f4 67. Rf6 Rxg3 68. Rxf4 Rg4 $1 69. Rf5 {[%cal Rf5h5]} Rxh4 70. a5 {And now a6 would win.} Kh6 71. Kf6 Ra4 72. Rb5 h4 73. Kf5 h3 {And now ...h2 would win.} 74. Rb3 Rxa5+ 75. Kg4 h2 76. Rh3+ Kg6 77. Rxh2 Ra4+ 78. Kg3 Ra3+ 79. Kg2 Ra2+ 80. Kg3 Rxh2 81. Kxh2 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE Women Candidates"]
[Site "Pegeia CYP"]
[Date "2026.03.31"]
[Round "3.2"]
[White "Vaishali, Rameshbabu"]
[Black "Muzychuk, Anna"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "Mark Crowther"]
[ECO "C55"]
[EventDate "2026.03.29"]

1.e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 Be7 5. Nc3 d6 6. a3 O-O 7. Ba2 Be6 8. Nd5 Nd4 9. Nxd4 exd4 10. Nxe7+ Qxe7 11. O-O Bxa2 12. Rxa2 d5 13. f3 Nd7 $146 ({Predecessor:} 13... c5 14. b4 cxb4 15. axb4 a6 16. Bb2 dxe4 17. fxe4 Rad8 18. h3 Ne8 19. Qa1 Qd7 {1-0 Wei,Y (2753)-Bu,X (2684) Shenzen tt KO 15th Shenzhen rapid 2025 (2.2)}) 14. Ra1 c5 15. Bf4 dxe4 16. fxe4 f6 17. Bg3 Ne5 18. Qd2 Rac8 19. Rf5 Rc6 20. Raf1 Re6 21. h3 Rc8 22. Qa5 {[%cal Og3e5]} b6 23. Qb5 h6 24. a4 c4 25. Bxe5 Rxe5 26. Rxe5 Qxe5 $11 {[%mdl 4096]} 27. Qd7 Qc7 28. Qd5+ Kh8 29. Qxd4 cxd3 30. cxd3 Qg3 31. e5 fxe5 32. Qe4 Rd8 33. Rf3 Qg5 34. Kh2 Qe7 35. Re3 {[%cal Od3d4]} Qc7 36. Qxe5 Qxe5+ 37. Rxe5 Rxd3 38. a5 bxa5 39. Rxa5 Rb3 40. Rxa7 Rxb2 41. Ra8+ 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE Women Candidates"]
[Site "Pegeia CYP"]
[Date "2026.03.31"]
[Round "3.3"]
[White "Zhu, Jiner"]
[Black "Assaubayeva, Bibisara"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "Mark Crowther"]
[ECO "B30"]
[EventDate "2026.03.29"]

1.e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6 4. O-O Bd7 5. Re1 Nf6 6. h3 a6 7. Bf1 Rg8 $5 {An interesting, if very risky, idea.} 8. d3 {[%cal Ob2b4]} h6 {[#]} 9. b4 $1 {Opening things up on the Queenside, just where is black's king going?} cxb4 {[%cal Bc5b4,Bb4b3][%mdl 32]} (9... Nxb4 10. d4 cxd4 11. c3 dxc3 12. Nxc3 Nc6 13. Rb1) 10. a3 $1 b3 11. Nbd2 $146 ({Predecessor:} 11. c4 g5 12. Qxb3 g4 13. hxg4 Nxg4 14. d4 Qa5 15. Nc3 Bg7 16. e5 dxe5 17. Bd2 {0-1 Tari,A (2642)-Abdusattorov,N (2731) Norway Chess 11th Stavanger 2023 (2)}) 11... g5 12. d4 g4 13. hxg4 Bxg4 {[%eval 95,18] [%wdl 451,549,0][%csl Oh6] [#] Black has weak pawns} (13... bxc2 $14 {[%eval 59,19] [%wdl 161,837,2] feels stronger.} 14. Qxc2 e5) 14. Bb2 {[%eval 49,19] [%wdl 106,892,2] White sacrificed a pawn} (14. Nxb3 $6 d5 15. e5 Ne4 $11) (14. cxb3 $6 Nxd4 15. Bb2 Nxf3+ 16. Nxf3 Nd7 $11) (14. c3 $1 $16 {[%eval 95,18] [%wdl 451,549,0]}) 14... d5 {[%eval 161,18] [%wdl 926,74,0]} (14... h5 $14 {[%eval 49,19] [%wdl 106,892,2]}) 15. c4 $1 $18 (15. cxb3 dxe4 16. Nxe4 Bg7 $17) 15... dxe4 16. Nxe4 Nxe4 17. Rxe4 Bf5 18. Re3 {[%mdl 1024]} Bc2 19. Qc1 {A slight mis-step which leads to another mistake.} (19. Qd2 $1) 19... Rc8 {[#]} 20. d5 $2 $11 {[%eval 4,23] [%wdl 8,987,5]} (20. Qd2 $1 $16 {[%eval 99,17] [%wdl 493,507,0]}) 20... Na5 $11 21. Nd2 (21. Ne5 $2 f6 22. Nd3 Nxc4 $19 (22... Rxc4 23. Qe1 $15)) 21... Rg4 (21... h5 {is interesting.} 22. Bf6 Kd7 23. Bc3 Bh6) 22. Be5 {[%eval -110,23] [%wdl 0,381,619]} (22. Bf6 $11 {[%eval 21,22] [%wdl 18,980,2]}) 22... h5 {[%eval -47,20] [%wdl 1,934,65]} ({Better is} 22... Rcxc4 $17 {[%eval -110,23] [%wdl 0,381,619][%cal Od8d5] and ...Qxd5! should not be overlooked} 23. f3 Qb6) 23. Qb2 $1 $15 Bh6 $1 $36 {[%mdl 2048]} 24. Rae1 {[%cal Oe5f6]} Bxe3 25. Rxe3 {Everything is still up in the air.} Nxc4 26. Nxc4 Rcxc4 27. Bxc4 Rxc4 28. d6 e6 29. Bh2 $2 {[%eval -286,16] [%wdl 0,0,1000] The losing move because now there are back rank problems but the correct line is rather ridiculous.} (29. Bg3 $15 {[%eval -44,21] [%wdl 0,974,26]} h4 30. Rf3 $3 {Now it's possible to see there are threats.} Bg6 31. Be5 {This is still a mess.}) 29... Qg5 $19 {Winning.} 30. Be5 {[%eval -472,18] [%wdl 0,0,1000]} (30. Rf3 {[%eval -298,18] [%wdl 0,0,1000] was worth a try.} Bg6 31. Bf4) 30... Be4 {[%csl Ge4][%cal Rg5g2] Black is clearly winning.} 31. f4 {[#]} Rc1+ $3 {[%mdl 576]} 32. Kh2 Qh4+ 33. Rh3 {[#]} Rh1+ {[%mdl 576]} 34. Kxh1 Qxh3+ {[%mdl 4096]} 35. Kg1 Qe3+ 36. Qf2 Qxf2+ 37. Kxf2 {KB-KB. Black is two pawns up.} h4 38. g4 b5 39. Kg1 h3 40. Kh2 Bg2 41. Kg3 a5 42. Kh2 Kd7 43. Kg3 a4 0-1

[Event "FIDE Women Candidates"]
[Site "Pegeia CYP"]
[Date "2026.03.31"]
[Round "3.4"]
[White "Tan, Zhongyi"]
[Black "Lagno, Kateryna"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "Mark Crowther"]
[ECO "C53"]
[EventDate "2026.03.29"]

1.e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 d6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb6 7. Nc3 Nf6 {[%cal Of6e4]} 8. Qd3 O-O {[%cal Of6e4]} 9. Bg5 $146 ({Predecessor:} 9. Be3 Ng4 10. a3 Nxe3 11. fxe3 Bg4 12. O-O-O Kh8 13. h3 Bxf3 14. gxf3 Qf6 15. Nd5 Qxf3 16. Nxb6 cxb6 {1-0 Douglas,C (1600)-Knox,A (1272) ENG NC/CT329878 email ICCF email 2017}) 9... h6 {[%cal Oc6b4]} 10. Bh4 Nb4 11. Qd2 d5 12. exd5 Re8+ $1 {Black sacrificed a pawn} 13. Kf1 {Black must now prevent a3.} (13. Ne5 $2 Bxd4 14. Ne2 Rxe5 $19 (14... Bxe5 $2 15. Qxb4 Nxd5 {[%csl Oh4][%mdl 64] Discovered Attack} 16. Qb5 $19)) 13... c6 $1 14. dxc6 bxc6 15. Rd1 Ba6 $6 {[%eval 126,16] [%wdl 755,245,0]} (15... Be6 $11 {[%eval 0,20] [%wdl 12,976,12] keeps the balance.} 16. Bxe6 Rxe6) 16. Bxa6 $16 Nxa6 {[%cal Bb4a6,Ba6c7,Bc7d5][%mdl 32]} 17. g4 {[%cal Bg2g4,Bg4g5][%mdl 32]} Nc7 18. Rg1 Ncd5 19. g5 $1 Nh5 20. Rg4 $2 {[%eval -234,14] [%wdl 0,1,999][%mdl 8192] White goes from pressing for a win to lost.} (20. gxh6 $16 {[%eval 71,19] [%wdl 191,809,0]} Qd7 21. Nxd5 Qh3+ 22. Rg2 cxd5 23. Bg3) 20... Qd7 21. h3 (21. Ne5 $2 Rxe5 22. dxe5 Qxg4 $19) 21... Qf5 22. Qd3 {[#]} Ne3+ {[%mdl 512]} 23. fxe3 (23. Kg1 Qxd3) 23... Qxf3+ 24. Bf2 Qxh3+ 25. Rg2 hxg5 26. Kg1 Bc7 (26... Re6 $1) 27. Ne4 f6 28. Rc1 Kh8 29. Nc5 Rad8 {[%eval -130,19] [%wdl 0,151,849]} (29... g4 $19 {[%eval -288,17] [%wdl 0,0,1000] and ...Re7 would now be decisive} 30. b4 g3) 30. Qb3 $2 {[%eval -352,17] [%wdl 0,0,1000]} (30. Rc3 $17 {[%eval -130,19] [%wdl 0,151,849] is the only way for White.}) 30... Re7 (30... g4) 31. Na6 Qf3 {[%eval -125,21] [%wdl 0,190,810] Suddenly white is back in the game.} (31... Bd6 $19 {[%eval -267,20] [%wdl 0,0,1000] has better winning chances.} 32. Rxc6 Kh7) 32. Nb4 $2 {[%eval -336,17] [%wdl 0,0,1000] And back lost again.} (32. Nxc7 $17 {[%eval -125,21] [%wdl 0,190,810] was strictly necessary.} Rxc7 33. Qe6) 32... Rd6 33. d5 {[%eval -344,18] [%wdl 0,0,1000]} (33. Rf1 {[%eval -243,19] [%wdl 0,0,1000] keeps fighting.}) 33... cxd5 $19 34. Nc6 Rf7 $4 {[%eval -47,22] [%wdl 0,957,43] White is almost equal.} (34... Rxc6 $19 {[%eval -343,18] [%wdl 0,0,1000]} 35. Rxc6 Bb6) 35. Nd4 $1 $15 Qe4 {[%eval 269,19] [%wdl 1000,0,0][%mdl 8192] Absolutely crazy, white is now winning.} (35... Qh3 $15 {[%eval -50,20] [%wdl 0,950,50] keeps the upper hand.} 36. Rh2 Qg4+ 37. Rg2 Qd7) 36. Rxc7 $1 $18 {[%mdl 576] Remove Defender, Decoy} Rxc7 (36... Qb1+ 37. Kh2 Rxc7 38. Qb8+ Kh7 39. Qxc7 $16) 37. Qb8+ Kh7 38. Qxc7 Rb6 39. b3 (39. Qxa7 Rxb2 40. Qd7 Rxa2 $11) (39. Qf7 $1) 39... Qb1+ 40. Kh2 f5 {[%eval 430,15] [%wdl 1000,0,0]} (40... Qg6 $142 {[%eval 277,19] [%wdl 1000,0,0]} 41. Qd7 (41. Qxa7 $2 f5 $18) 41... Rb4) 41. Qf7 $2 {[%eval 82,24] [%wdl 239,761,0]} (41. Rxg5 $18 {[%eval 430,15] [%wdl 1000,0,0] is more deadly.} Rh6 42. Nxf5 Qxa2 43. Kg2) 41... Rf6 $16 42. Qxd5 $4 {[%eval -532,17] [%wdl 0,0,1000][%mdl 8192] Another crazy swing from winning to losing.} (42. Qxh5+ $16 {[%eval 97,26] [%wdl 456,544,0] stays on course.} Rh6 {[%mdl 64] Pin} 43. Rxg5) 42... Nf4 $1 $19 {[%mdl 512] Whoops, now black is winning.} 43. exf4 (43. Qxf5+ Rxf5) 43... Rh6+ 44. Kg3 {[#]} Qd3+ $1 45. Qf3 {[#]} g4 $1 {[%csl Gg4][%cal Rh6h3][%mdl 64] Pin} 46. Rh2 gxf3 47. Rxh6+ gxh6 48. Nxf3 a6 49. Bd4 Qc2 50. b4 Qxa2 51. Bc3 Qb3 52. Be1 Kg6 53. Kg2 Kf7 54. Nh4 Qe3 0-1

[Event "FIDE Candidates 2026"]
[Site "Pegeia CYP"]
[Date "2026.04.01"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Sindarov, Javokhir"]
[Black "Caruana, Fabiano"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "Mark Crowther"]
[ECO "D26"]
[EventDate "2026.03.29"]

1.d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 dxc4 4. e3 Nf6 5. Bxc4 c5 6. O-O Nc6 7. Qe2 a6 8. Nc3 b5 9. Bd3 Bb7 {[%cal Rc5d4,Bc8b7,Bb7c6,Bc6d5][%mdl 32]} 10. a4 b4 11. Ne4 Na5 12. Nxf6+ gxf6 13. dxc5 $146 ({Predecessor:} 13. Rd1 Qb6 14. Rb1 c4 15. Bxc4 Nxc4 16. Qxc4 Be4 17. Ra1 Qb7 18. Ne1 Rg8 19. g3 {0-1 Turna,S (2278)-Banduka,Z (2115) SVK-ch op-A Banska Stiavnica 2007 (9.27)}) 13... Nb3 {[#]} 14. c6 $1 Bxc6 {[#]} 15. Nd4 $1 Nxd4 16. exd4 Rg8 17. g3 $1 (17. Bxa6 Rxg2+ 18. Kh1 Qd6 19. Qh5 Rxh2+ 20. Kg1 Rxh5 21. f4 Qxd4+) 17... f5 $6 {[%eval 129,19] [%wdl 836,164,0] Caruana has been caught in the opening and spent a long time here, he didn't find the best.} ({Better is} 17... Qxd4 $14 {[%eval 56,20] [%wdl 82,918,0]} 18. Be3 Qd5 19. f3 f5) 18. Bc4 (18. Bxa6 Qd5 19. f3 Bd6) 18... Rg4 (18... Qxd4 19. Bxe6 Qe4 20. Qxe4 Bxe4 {is not very appetising.}) 19. Be3 (19. Bxa6 $6 Qd5 (19... Qxd4 20. Bb5 $16) (19... Rxd4 20. Be3 $16) 20. f3 Bg7 $11 (20... Qxd4+ $2 21. Be3 $18)) (19. Bxe6 Re4 20. Bxf7+ Kxf7 21. Qh5+ Kg8 $19) 19... Bd5 20. Rac1 (20. Bxa6 Be7 21. Rfc1 Kf8) 20... Be7 21. Bxa6 $1 Kf8 22. Bb5 Bf6 {[%eval 191,20] [%wdl 994,6,0]} (22... h5 $16 {[%eval 123,20] [%wdl 787,213,0]}) 23. Rfd1 $18 Kg7 24. Bc6 $1 Ra5 {[%eval 249,16] [%wdl 1000,0,0]} (24... h5 {[%eval 193,20] [%wdl 995,5,0] keeps fighting.} 25. Bxd5 Qxd5) 25. Bxd5 Rxd5 26. Rc5 Rd7 {[#]} 27. d5 {[%mdl 512]} exd5 (27... Re4 28. b3) 28. Qf3 Bxb2 {Black is just winning and now cleans up efficiently.} 29. Rcxd5 ({Weaker is} 29. Qxf5 Rg6 30. Rb5 (30. Rcxd5 Rxd5 31. Qxd5 Qxd5 $16) 30... Bf6 $18) 29... Rxd5 30. Rxd5 Qe8 31. Rxf5 Rg6 32. h4 {[%cal Bh2h4,Bh4h5][%mdl 32]} Bc3 33. h5 Ra6 34. Qg4+ Kh8 35. Bd4+ f6 36. Rc5 1-0

[Event "FIDE Candidates 2026"]
[Site "Pegeia CYP"]
[Date "2026.04.01"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Bluebaum, Matthias"]
[Black "Praggnanandhaa, R"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "Mark Crowther"]
[ECO "D45"]
[EventDate "2026.03.29"]

1.d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 c6 5. e3 a6 6. Qc2 c5 7. cxd5 exd5 8. dxc5 {D45: Semi-Slav: 5 e3.} Bxc5 9. Be2 Nc6 10. O-O Be6 11. a3 Rc8 12. b4 Bd6 13. Bb2 {[%cal Bc1b2,Bb2c3,Bc3e5][%mdl 32]} O-O 14. Rac1 Ne5 15. Nxe5 (15. Rfd1 {is more complex.} Ne4 16. h3 Re8 17. Qb1) 15... Bxe5 {The position is equal.} 16. Qb1 $146 ({Predecessor:} 16. Qd2 Qd7 17. Rfd1 Rxc3 18. Bxc3 Ne4 19. Qe1 Nxc3 20. Rxc3 Bxc3 21. Qxc3 Rc8 22. Qd2 {1-0 Binder,M (1815)-Bachner,K (1819) AUT-ch U14 St Poelten 2009 (2)}) 16... Qd6 17. f4 Bxc3 18. Bxc3 Ne4 19. Be5 Qd7 20. Rxc8 Rxc8 21. Rc1 f6 22. Bb2 Nd6 23. Rxc8+ Qxc8 24. Qc1 Nc4 25. Bxc4 Qxc4 26. Qxc4 dxc4 $11 {[%mdl 4096]} 27. e4 f5 28. exf5 Bxf5 29. Kf2 Kf7 30. Ke3 g6 31. Kd4 Bd3 32. Ke5 Bf1 33. g3 Bh3 34. Kd5 Bf1 35. Ke5 Bh3 36. Kd5 Bf1 37. Ke5 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE Candidates 2026"]
[Site "Pegeia CYP"]
[Date "2026.04.01"]
[Round "4.3"]
[White "Esipenko, Andrey"]
[Black "Giri, Anish"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "Mark Crowther"]
[ECO "B95"]
[EventDate "2026.03.29"]

1.e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Bd3 Be7 {[%cal Of6e4]} 8. Qe2 {B95: Sicilian Najdorf: 6 Bg5 e6, unusual White 7th moves.} Nxe4 {[%csl Og5][%mdl 64] Discovered Attack} 9. Nxe4 Bxg5 {[#]} 10. Nf5 {[%csl Od6,Og7][%mdl 64]} Be7 11. Nxg7+ Kd7 $146 {This was preparation from Giri although he never expected so see it over the board.} ({Predecessor:} 11... Kf8 12. Nh5 d5 13. Neg3 Nc6 14. O-O Bd7 15. c4 d4 16. a3 a5 17. Rad1 Qc7 {½-½ Orgovan,S (2240)-Stempin,P (2255) Bydgoszcz U20 1980}) 12. O-O Nc6 {[%cal Oh7h5]} 13. c4 Kc7 {[%cal Oh7h5] A sharp opening} 14. Nh5 Bd7 15. Rfd1 Rc8 16. b4 Nxb4 {[%eval 39,17] [%wdl 44,955,1]} ({Black could try} 16... Kb8 $11 {[%eval -22,18] [%wdl 2,978,20]}) 17. Rab1 $14 Nxd3 (17... Ba4 {This is black's best try.}) 18. Qxd3 $2 {[%eval -139,19] [%wdl 0,101,899] [#]} (18. Rxd3 $16 {[%eval 82,22] [%wdl 271,729,0] is the only move to be better for white.} Bc6 19. c5) 18... Ba4 $1 $17 {Black continues to play with concentration.} 19. Rd2 {[%cal Oc4c5]} Kb8 20. Rdb2 $2 {[%eval -204,16] [%wdl 0,3,997] This irrational position is hard to play but white has gone from better to lost in only a few moves.} (20. Qd4 $17 {[%eval -132,19] [%wdl 0,142,858] is a better defense.} Bc6 21. Nxd6) 20... Bc6 $19 21. c5 {[%eval -324,17] [%wdl 0,0,1000]} (21. Nf4 $142 {[%eval -178,20] [%wdl 0,12,988]} Ka8) 21... dxc5 22. Qxa6 {[%cal Rb2b7]} Qd5 {[%csl Oa2,Oe4,Oh5][%mdl 64] Hitting absolutely everything.} 23. f3 Rc7 24. Nhg3 Rd8 25. Nf2 c4 26. Nge4 f5 27. Nc3 Qc5 28. Re2 Bf6 29. Na4 Bxa4 30. Qxa4 c3 31. Qc2 Bg5 32. Kf1 Qc4 33. Rd1 Rd2 34. Rdxd2 cxd2 0-1

[Event "FIDE Candidates 2026"]
[Site "Pegeia CYP"]
[Date "2026.04.01"]
[Round "4.4"]
[White "Wei Yi"]
[Black "Nakamura, Hikaru"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "Mark Crowther"]
[ECO "B90"]
[EventDate "2026.03.29"]

1.e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bc4 a6 5. d4 cxd4 6. Nxd4 g6 7. f3 b5 8. Bb3 Bb7 
{Around here Wei Yi starting using lots of time.} 9. Be3 Nbd7 10. a4 {[%eval 11,21]
[%wdl 27,962,11]} (10. Qd2 $16 {[%eval 76,19] [%wdl 277,722,1]}) 
10... bxa4 11. Bxa4 Bg7 12. Nc6 $146 ({Predecessor:} 12. O-O O-O 13. Qe2 Rc8 14. Rfd1 Qc7 
15. Qf2 Ne5 16. Bb3 Nc4 17. Bxc4 Qxc4 18. Nb3 
{½-½ Gerlach,F (1956)-Schimnatkowski,L (1970) Ruhrgebiet Verbandsklasse Gruppe 3 1617 Germany 2016 (7.1)}) 
12... Qc7 13. Na5 {[%mdl 64]} O-O 14. Bxd7 Nxd7 15. Bd4 Bh6 16. O-O e6 17. Qe1 Rab8 18. Qh4 Bg7 
19. Bxg7 Kxg7 20. Qf2 Bc8 21. Nd1 Nf6 {[%cal Bd7f6,Bf6g8,Bg8e7][%mdl 32]} 22. c4 d5 23. cxd5 exd5 24. e5 Ng8 25. Nc3 Ne7 
{[%cal Oc8e6]} 26. Rfc1 {[%cal Oc3d5]} Qd8 27. Rd1 {[%cal Oc3d5] Hoping for Nxd5!.} Be6 {With Wei Yi short of time Nakamura's instincts were to keep things complicated.} 
28. Nc4 {[%mdl 64] [#] Pin} Nf5 29. Nd6 {[%mdl 64]} (29. Rxa6 $2 Qc8 30. Rxe6 fxe6 $19) 29... Nxd6 30. exd6 Qxd6 31. Qd4+ Kg8 {[%cal Of8d8]} 
32. Nxd5 (32. Ne4 Qb6 33. Nf6+ Kg7 34. Qxb6 Rxb6 35. Nxd5 Rxb2 $15) 32... Bxd5 33. Qxd5 Qb6+ 34. Qd4 Qxd4+ 35. Rxd4 Rxb2 36. Rxa6 $11 {[%mdl 4096]} 
Rc8 {This position is of course completely equal but Wei Yi's very uncertain attitude during the game continued and he got himself into trouble.
He needs a rook off or to defend g2 reliably.} 37. h4 {Still not a problem but time trouble is coming.} (37. Ra1 Rcc2 38. Rg4 h5 39. Rg5 Kg7 40. f4 f6 41. Rg3 h4 42. Rg4 f5) 
37... Rcc2 38. Rg4 h5 39. Rg5 (39. Rg3 {This is the simplest.} Rb4 40. Rh3 Rbb2 41. Rg3) 39... Rc4 40. Kh2 $2 {[%eval -329,14] [%wdl 0,0,1000][%mdl 8192] Final 
move before time control and he finds a losing move. What he missed is Kg3 is very bad.} (40. Ra1 $11 {[%eval 0,31] [%wdl 2,996,2]}) 40... Rxh4+ $19 41. 
Kg1 (41. Kg3 Rh1 42. Ra4 Kg7 43. Rd4 Rf1 44. Rgd5 Rff2) 41... Rb1+ 42. Kf2 Rhh1 43. Ra2 Kg7 {[%eval -122,19] [%wdl 0,197,803]} (43... h4 $19 {[%eval -231,21] 
[%wdl 0,0,1000] is the quickest win, Nakamura is trying to put pressure on his opponent, but when you're winning you play the win. I have to say 
it's not that clear this is the right winning line.} 44. Ke3 Rhe1+ 45. Re2 Rf1 46. Kf4 Rb3 47. Re3 Rb2 48. Rg4 Rh1 49. Re4 Kg7 50. Rc4 (50. Ke5 h3) 
50... f5 51. Rg5 Kh6 52. Ra4 Rhb1) 44. Re5 {[%eval -240,18] [%wdl 0,0,1000]} (44. Ke3 $17 {[%eval -122,19] [%wdl 0,197,803]}) 
44... Kh6 45. Ree2 Rhf1+ $2 {[%eval -31,21] [%wdl 0,988,12] Nakamura chooses the wrong plan and Wei Yi escapes.} ({Better is} 
45... Kg5 $19 {[%eval -227,18] [%wdl 0,0,1000] and ...Rhf1+ would now be decisive} 46. Rec2 f5) 46. Kg3 $15 Kg5 {(...h4+)} 47. Ra4 Rh1 48. Ree4 Rb2 49. Rab4 Rxb4 50. Rxb4 h4+ 
51. Kf2 f5 52. Ra4 Rb1 53. Rc4 Ra1 54. Rb4 Rd1 55. Ra4 Rb1 56. Rc4 Rb2+ 57. Kg1 h3 58. gxh3 f4 59. h4+ Kxh4 60. Rxf4+ Kg3 61. Rg4+ Kxf3 62. Rxg6 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE Women Candidates"]
[Site "Pegeia CYP"]
[Date "2026.04.01"]
[Round "4.1"]
[White "Muzychuk, Anna"]
[Black "Lagno, Kateryna"]
[Result "1-0"]
[Annotator "Mark Crowther"]
[ECO "C85"]
[EventDate "2026.03.29"]

1.e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Bxc6 dxc6 7. d3 Qd6 {C85: Closed Ruy Lopez: Deferred Exchange Variation.} 8. a4 Be6 9. Na3 $146 ({Predecessor:} 9. b3 Nd7 10. Ng5 a5 11. Ba3 c5 12. Nxe6 Qxe6 13. Nc3 c6 14. Ne2 O-O 15. Bb2 {½-½ Grischuk,A (2686)-Sapenov,D (2462) Almaty Shimbulak Blitz 2025 (10)}) 9... h6 {The position is equal.} 10. Nd2 O-O-O 11. Ndc4 Bxc4 12. Nxc4 Qe6 13. Qe2 Nd7 14. Bd2 b6 15. b4 Kb7 16. Rfb1 Ra8 17. Qe1 h5 18. b5 cxb5 (18... axb5 19. axb5 cxb5 20. Rxb5 Rxa1 21. Qxa1 Ra8) 19. axb5 a5 (19... axb5 {is more complex.} 20. Rxb5 Rxa1 21. Qxa1 Ra8) 20. Bxa5 bxa5 21. Nxa5+ Kc8 22. Nc6 Rxa1 23. Rxa1 Nb6 {Against Ra8+} 24. Qe3 {[%mdl 1024] Against Bc5. White has compensation.} Bd6 25. c4 {[#]} Qh6 26. Qh3+ (26. d4 {simplifies} Qxe3 27. fxe3 exd4 28. exd4 Re8 29. c5) 26... Qe6 27. Qe3 $36 {[%mdl 2048] White has the initiative.} Qh6 28. d4 exd4 $2 {[%eval 382,18] [%wdl 1000,0,0][%mdl 8192] [#] A mistake that costs the game.} (28... Qxe3 $14 {[%eval 34,19] [%wdl 15,985,0] is forced.} 29. fxe3 exd4 (29... Nxc4 $2 {perishes.} 30. Ra8+ {[%mdl 64] Skewer} Kd7 31. Rxh8 $18) 30. exd4 Re8) 29. Qxd4 $18 Kb7 30. c5 Ra8 31. cxd6 Qxd6 {[%eval 32738,20] [%wdl 1000,0,0]} (31... cxd6 $18 {[%eval 443,16] [%wdl 1000,0,0]} 32. g3 Qg5 33. Rxa8 Qxb5 34. Ra7+ Kxc6 35. Rxf7 g5) 32. Rxa8 1-0

[Event "FIDE Women Candidates"]
[Site "Pegeia CYP"]
[Date "2026.04.01"]
[Round "4.2"]
[White "Assaubayeva, Bibisara"]
[Black "Tan, Zhongyi"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "Mark Crowther"]
[ECO "D34"]
[EventDate "2026.03.29"]

1.d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 c5 4. cxd5 exd5 5. g3 Nf6 6. Bg2 Be7 7. O-O O-O 8. Nc3 Nc6 9. Bg5 c4 $1 {[%mdl 4]} 10. Rc1 h6 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. b3 cxb3 13. Qxb3 Bxd4 14. Nxd4 $146 ({Much worse is} 14. Qxd5 $6 Bb6 $11) (14. Nxd5 Be6 15. Nxd4 (15. Qxb7 Bxd5 16. Nxd4 Nxd4 $17) 15... Nxd4 $11) ({Predecessor:} 14. Nxd5 Be6 15. e4 Bb6 16. Rfd1 Rc8 17. Qa3 Bxd5 18. Rxd5 Qe7 19. Qxe7 Nxe7 20. Rdd1 {1-0 Kuznetsov,M (2246)-Mohammed,Z (2210) Titled Tuesday intern op 29th Aug Early Chess.com INT blitz 2023 (3)}) 14... Nxd4 15. Qa4 Nc6 {[%cal Bd4c6,Bc6e5,Be5d3,Bd3e1][%mdl 32]} 16. Nxd5 Be6 17. Rfd1 Rc8 18. e3 (18. h4 {is for some reason the best move.}) 18... Qe8 19. Qb5 Bg4 {[%csl Od5] Strong Square White (d5)} 20. Re1 Ne5 21. Qxb7 Rb8 $1 22. Qxa7 Nd3 $1 {[%csl Bc1,Be1] This is equality now.} 23. Qd4 $1 {[%csl Bd3,Bg4]} Bf5 {[%cal Og8h8]} 24. Rb1 Nxe1 25. Rxb8 Qxb8 26. Ne7+ Kh8 27. Nxf5 {[%csl Gf5][%cal Rd4g7] [#]} Nf3+ $1 28. Bxf3 {[%csl Gf5][%cal Rd4g7]} Qb1+ 29. Kg2 {[%csl Gf5][%cal Rd4g7]} Qxf5 $11 {[%mdl 4096]} 30. a4 {The position is still equal.} Qa5 31. Qd7 f5 32. h4 Rd8 33. Qe7 Rc8 34. Qe6 Rf8 35. Qd7 Rd8 36. Qe7 Rc8 37. Qf7 Rd8 38. h5 Qxa4 39. Qxf5 Qd7 40. Qg6 Qd6 41. Be4 Qxg6 (41... Kg8 42. Qh7+ Kf8 43. Qf5+ Kg8) 42. Bxg6 Kg8 43. f4 Kf8 44. Kf3 Ke7 45. g4 Kf6 46. Be4 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE Women Candidates"]
[Site "Pegeia CYP"]
[Date "2026.04.01"]
[Round "4.3"]
[White "Vaishali, Rameshbabu"]
[Black "Goryachkina, Aleksandra"]
[Result "1/2-1/2"]
[Annotator "Mark Crowther"]
[ECO "C55"]
[EventDate "2026.03.29"]

1.e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. d3 h6 5. a4 {[%cal Ba2a4,Ba4a5,Ba5a6][%mdl 32]} Bc5 6. Be3 Bxe3 7. fxe3 d6 8. O-O Be6 9. Bxe6 $146 ({Predecessor:} 9. Nbd2 O-O 10. Qe1 Nb4 11. Rc1 c6 12. Kh1 d5 13. Bb3 dxe4 14. Nxe4 Nxd3 15. cxd3 Bxb3 {0-1 Sukandar,I (2354)-Koneru,H (2431) Wch Rapid (Women) New York 2024 (11)}) 9... fxe6 10. a5 O-O 11. a6 b5 12. Qe1 Rb8 13. Qc3 Rb6 14. b4 $6 {[%eval -111,18] [%wdl 0,357,643]} ({Better is} 14. Nbd2 $15 {[%eval -42,21] [%wdl 1,951,48]}) 14... Qe7 {[%eval -46,20] [%wdl 1,942,57]} (14... d5 $17 {[%eval -111,18] [%wdl 0,357,643]} 15. Nxe5 Nxe5 16. Qxe5 Ng4 (16... dxe4 17. d4 $17) 17. Rxf8+ Qxf8) 15. Nbd2 d5 16. Rfb1 Qd6 17. h3 {[#]} d4 $1 {Black really has quite a good edge now.} 18. exd4 Nxd4 $2 {[%eval 0,32] [%wdl 5,990,5] But now the game is equal.} ({Black should play} 18... exd4 $17 {[%eval -125,20] [%wdl 0,210,790]} 19. Qb2 Nh5) 19. Qc5 $1 $11 Nd7 20. Qxd6 cxd6 21. c4 Ne2+ 22. Kh2 Rc8 23. Ra5 Nf4 24. Rb3 (24. cxb5 $6 Nxd3 25. Rb3 Nf4 $15) 24... Ne2 $6 {[%eval 73,20] [%wdl 151,849,0]} (24... Kf8 $11 {[%eval 0,28] [%wdl 2,996,2] remains equal.}) 25. Rb1 $11 {[%eval 8,23] [%wdl 3,996,1]} (25. Rxb5 $16 {[%eval 73,20] [%wdl 151,849,0]} Rxa6 26. Rb2) (25. cxb5 d5) 25... Nf4 26. Rb3 (26. cxb5 $6 Nxd3 27. Rb3 Nf4 $15) 26... Ne2 {[%eval 71,21] [%wdl 130,870,0]} (26... Kf8 $11 {[%eval 0,22] [%wdl 2,996,2]}) 27. Rb1 ({Much worse is} 27. Rxb5 Rxb5 (27... Rxa6 28. c5 $16) 28. cxb5 Nc3 $11) 27... Nf4 1/2-1/2

[Event "FIDE Women Candidates"]
[Site "Pegeia CYP"]
[Date "2026.04.01"]
[Round "4.4"]
[White "Divya, Deshmukh"]
[Black "Zhu, Jiner"]
[Result "0-1"]
[Annotator "Mark Crowther"]
[ECO "A21"]
[EventDate "2026.03.29"]

1.c4 e5 2. Nc3 Bb4 3. Nd5 a5 4. Nf3 d6 5. a3 Bc5 6. e3 Nf6 ({Relevant:} 6... c6 7. Nc3 Nd7 8. d4 Ba7 9. Be2 Ngf6 10. O-O O-O 11. b3 Re8 12. Bb2 e4 13. Nd2 d5 14. Qc2 Bb8 15. Rfc1 Nf8 16. Qd1 Ng6 17. cxd5 cxd5 18. Rc2 h5 19. Bxh5 Nxh5 20. Qxh5 Be6 21. Rac1 Qd7 22. Na4 Qd6 23. Nc5 Ne7 24. Nxb7 Qb6 25. Nc5 Bf5 26. Nf1 Bg6 27. Qe2 Bd6 28. a4 Nf5 29. Qb5 Qa7 30. Ng3 Rab8 31. Qe2 Nxg3 32. fxg3 Qe7 33. Qg4 Red8 34. Bc3 Ra8 35. Be1 Ra7 36. Qh4 {1-0 Duda,J (2739)-Wei,Y (2755) Chessable Masters Losers Chess.com INT rapid 2025 (2.1)}) 7. d4 Nxd5 8. cxd5 {White is slightly better.} exd4 9. exd4 (9. Nxd4 O-O $11) 9... Bb6 10. Bg5 f6 11. Be3 O-O {[#]} 12. h4 $146 {[%eval -26,18] [%wdl 2,968,30]} (12. Qc2 $14 {[%eval 69,18] [%wdl 185,815,0]}) ({Predecessor:} 12. Bd3 f5 13. Qc2 f4 14. Bxh7+ Kh8 15. Bd2 Qe7+ 16. Kf1 Bg4 17. Re1 Qf6 18. h4 Nd7 19. h5 Bxf3 20. gxf3 Qg5 21. Bg6 Nf6 22. Qd3 a4 23. Bc3 Ba5 24. Ke2 Qh6 25. Reg1 Bxc3 26. bxc3 Nxd5 27. c4 Ne7 28. Kd2 Ra5 29. d5 Rc5 30. Qe2 Ng8 31. Bc2 Rf6 32. Qf1 b5 33. Rg6 bxc4 34. Kc1 Rf8 35. Rxh6+ Nxh6 36. Qg2 Kg8 37. Qg6 c6 38. Rg1 {1-0 Shankland,S (2712)-Yoo,C (2563) USA-ch Saint Louis 2022 (9)}) 12... f5 $11 {White has been caught out and has a very difficult position to play.} 13. g3 Qe8 14. Bd3 Nd7 15. O-O {[#]} h6 {Repels Ng5} 16. Ne1 Nf6 17. Ng2 Nxd5 18. Bc4 Be6 19. Re1 Qf7 {[%eval -44,18] [%wdl 1,938,61]} ({Black should try} 19... Qd7 $17 {[%eval -131,20] [%wdl 0,181,819][%cal Of5f4]} 20. Qd3 Nxe3 21. Bxe6+ Qxe6 22. Rxe3 Qf6) 20. Bd2 $15 {[%cal Oe1e6] Rxe6! is the threat.} c6 $1 $36 {[%cal Oa8e8][%mdl 2048] White is under pressure.} 21. Qb3 $2 {[%eval -186,17] [%wdl 0,15,985]} (21. Rxe6 $1 $15 {[%eval -35,20] [%wdl 1,959,40]} Qxe6 22. Nf4) 21... Kh7 {[%eval -68,18] [%wdl 0,824,176]} (21... Bxd4 $19 {[%eval -186,17] [%wdl 0,15,985] And now ...b5 would win.} 22. Rxe6 Qxe6 23. Qxb7 Qf7 24. Qxc6 Rac8 (24... Bxb2 $2 25. Bxd5 {[%mdl 64] Pin} Bxa1 26. Bxf7+ Kxf7 27. Nf4 $18)) 22. a4 $2 {[%eval -234,17] [%wdl 0,2,998]} ({Wrong is} 22. Bxd5 $2 Bxd5 23. Qc3 (23. Qxb6 $2 {too greedy.} Ra6 $19) 23... Be4 $19) (22. Rxe6 $1 $15 {[%eval -68,18] [%wdl 0,824,176] Limits the damage.} Qxe6 $2 (22... a4 23. Rxh6+ gxh6 24. Qf3) 23. Qxb6 {[%mdl 64] Pin} Qe4 24. Bxd5 $18) 22... Bxd4 $19 23. Re2 Be5 {[%cal Od5f4]} 24. Rae1 {[%eval -363,18] [%wdl 0,0,1000]} (24. Rc1 $142 {[%eval -258,19] [%wdl 0,0,1000]}) 24... Nf4 {[%csl Oc4][%mdl 64]} 25. gxf4 {[%eval -398,18] [%wdl 0,0,1000]} (25. Bxe6 {[%eval -264,20] [%wdl 0,0,1000] only move.} Nxe6 (25... Qxe6 $2 26. Re3 $19) 26. Qd1) 25... Bxc4 26. Qg3 Bf6 27. Re3 d5 28. Qh3 d4 {Black is clearly winning.} 29. Rg3 Qh5 30. b4 axb4 31. Bxb4 Rfe8 32. Rc1 Bd5 33. Ne1 Rxa4 34. Bd6 Kh8 {[%cal Oe8a8]} 35. Be5 Bxe5 36. fxe5 d3 0-1

