NEW DELHI : R Vaishali is still vying for the Women’s Candidates Championship, but her chances rely on a strong performance and favourable results from other matches. With three players sharing the lead, the tournament has entered an intense phase where every move is critical. Vaishali must win her last game to keep her best chances alive, as draws may fall short on such a tightly packed leaderboard.

In addition to winning, Vaishali’s hopes also hinge on how her closest competitors’ fare. Should the other top players drop points or settle for draws, it could pave the way for her to claim first place.

Historically, Candidates tournaments favour players who maintain steady form and avoid defeats in the closing rounds, often needing a +3 or +4 score to secure victory. With the pressure mounting, the final round promises an electrifying conclusion as Vaishali strives to turn her chance into a landmark win.

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