India had a challenging day against China in various sports on Sunday. Ayush Shetty suffered a defeat to world number two Shi Yu Qi in the Badminton Asian Championships. In the Candidates Chess tournament, China continued its dominance over India.
Vaishali Rameshbabu, leading in the women’s section of the Candidates, lost to Zhu Jiner, missing a significant opportunity. Additionally, Divya Deshmukh, the other Indian contender, was defeated by Tan Zhongyi, pushing her to the bottom of the standings.
Vaishali’s loss in the tournament disappointed many Indian chess enthusiasts. With Praggnanandhaa out of contention and Javokhir Sindarov close to clinching the Candidates title with just a draw needed, India’s prospects in Cyprus are diminishing.
The women’s section of the Candidates in 2026 has been intense, promising a tough test for the eventual winner.
Prior to the 12th round, Vaishali had only lost to Zhu Jiner in the tournament, struggling against the discipline and patience of Chinese players. In the critical rounds, Vaishali made crucial errors that led to her defeat against Zhu.
As the competition intensifies, Vaishali must win her upcoming matches against Tan Zhongyi and Kateryna Lagno while hoping for Zhu to drop points to keep her title hopes alive. The battle for the World Chess Championship spot remains tight, with every move crucial for the contenders.
The Indian contingent’s once-promising campaign in the Candidates tournament now hangs in the balance, emphasizing the high stakes involved.
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