With three out of eight events completed, the race for a spot in the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament is intensifying. Ju Wenjun leads the standings with 86.5 points, closely followed by Humpy Koneru on 84, after strong performances in the World Rapid and Blitz Championships. Former champions and rising stars, including Tan Zhongyi, Kateryna Lagno and Afruza Khamdamova, remain in contention. The series resumes in May with the final Women’s Grand Prix leg in Austria, keeping qualification hopes alive for seventeen players.

