R Vaishali Celebrates Historic Win at FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament
R Vaishali shared a touching moment with her family after winning the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament in Cyprus on April 15. She made history as the first Indian woman to earn this title, which has now given her a chance to compete in the World Championship later this year.
Her brother, R Praggnanandhaa, and her mother, Nagalakshmi, rushed to her side, filled with pride and joy. Surrounded by smiles and cheers, the family celebrated a significant victory that reflected years of hard work and belief.
Vaishali recounted a brief but encouraging moment with her brother during the tournament. “He said, ‘after c4, I felt fine,’” she remembered, recalling the vital encouragement he offered.
Her victory puts her on a collision course with China’s Ju Wenjun, the reigning champion and a five-time titleholder known for her dominance in women’s chess. The championship match, which has a prize pool of €300,000, promises to attract viewers from around the world.
By winning the Candidates Tournament, Vaishali has secured at least €28,000 in prize money, plus €2,200 for each half-point she earned—making her journey financially rewarding as well as competitive.
The Road to Victory
Vaishali’s path to the FIDE Women’s Candidates title was marked by steady progress rather than an early lead. During the first five rounds of the 14-round tournament, she was near the bottom of the standings, alongside Divya Deshmukh and Tan Zhongyi, far from the leaders.
However, she steadily improved her performance, taking advantage of other players’ mistakes while keeping herself in the mix. By the final round, Vaishali was in a three-way tie for the lead with Bibisara Assaubayeva, while Zhu Jiner was close behind.
On the last day, it was clear what was needed. Playing against Kateryna Lagno, Vaishali had to match Assaubayeva’s result. Support came from Divya, who managed to draw with Assaubayeva, keeping Vaishali’s chances alive.
Focused and composed, Vaishali outplayed Lagno, securing a crucial victory that clinched her the title. Her success was marked by significant wins, including matches against Lagno, Aleksandra Goryachkina, and Tan, along with vital draws against experienced players like Anna Muzychuk.
Despite suffering two losses to Zhu Jiner, Vaishali remained calm and resilient. Starting as an underdog, she navigated her way through a tough field of seasoned players, ultimately showcasing her patience, courage, and steady performance under pressure.
-ENDS-
