R Vaishali defeated Russia's Aleksandra Goryachkina in round 11 to claim the sole lead in the Women's Candidates tournament. This extended her advantage over second-placed Zhu Jiner to a full point. India's Divya Deshmukh held Jiner to a draw.
In round 11 of the 2026 Women's Candidates tournament in Paphos, Cyprus, India's R Vaishali defeated pre-tournament favourite Russia's Aleksandra Goryachkina with the black pieces. Playing the London System, Vaishali shifted her knight on move 12 to allow a queen trade, a key decision. On move 30, Goryachkina trapped her own rook, sealing her defeat.
This marked Vaishali's fourth win and second with black in the event. Rivals Anna Muzychuk and Zhu Jiner dropped points, while India's Divya Deshmukh held Jiner to a draw in a rook-and-knight endgame. Vaishali now leads second-placed Jiner by a full point.
Vaishali faces Jiner in round 12 on Sunday. In the open section, her brother R Praggnanandhaa drew with Germany's Matthias Blübaum, eliminating him from title contention. Javokhir Sindarov maintains the lead there.