Candidates 2024, Round 13: Vaishali shocks Lei Tingjie with fourth consecutive victory; Tan Zhongyi settles for a draw in title race

In a stunning turn of events at the FIDE Women’s Candidates 2024, R. Vaishali has emerged as a dark horse, shaking up the title race with her impressive performance in the 13th round in Toronto. Vaishali, who was struggling with a four-game losing streak, has now won four consecutive games, including a victory over defending champion Lei Tingjie.

Vaishali’s win over Lei Tingjie has not only boosted her own standings but has also brightened the title prospects of leader Tan Zhongyi. With Tan now a point ahead of the field, she only needs a draw against Anna Muzychuk in the final round to secure the title. However, if Tan loses and Lei wins in the final round, a tie-breaker will be needed to determine the champion.

Vaishali’s remarkable comeback has caught the attention of the chess world, as she defeated some of the top-ranked players in the tournament, including Aleksandra Goryachkina and Anna Muzychuk. Despite being the second lowest-rated player in the field, Vaishali now shares the third spot with top players like Humpy and Goryachkina.

In the 13th round, Vaishali capitalized on a blunder from Lei Tingjie to secure a crucial victory. Meanwhile, other games in the round ended in draws, setting the stage for an exciting final round of the tournament. With the title race heating up, all eyes will be on the final round pairings to see who will emerge victorious in this thrilling competition.