Zhu Jiner delivered a decisive victory over India’s R. Vaishali in a pivotal 12th-round encounter at the Women’s Candidates Chess Tournament in Pegeia, Cyprus, dramatically reshaping the leaderboard. Entering the match as the sole leader, Vaishali suffered a critical setback as Zhu, playing with black pieces, secured a strategic win to draw level at the top with seven points. With only two rounds remaining, the title race has intensified, with Bibisara Assaubayeva and Anna Muzychuk trailing closely by half a point.