R Vaishali Ends 2024 with Bronze Medal at World Blitz Championship
R Vaishali ended 2024 on a high note, claiming a bronze medal at the World Blitz Championship after reaching the semi-finals at the prestigious year-end event held at New York’s Wall Street. The women’s blitz crown was clinched by Ju Wenjun, who defeated Lei Tingjie in the final.
Despite losing to Wenjun in the semi-finals, Vaishali put up a strong performance and finished behind the two Chinese women. In the men’s section, Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi shared the title after an intense final that saw both players winning two games each and three tie-break games ending in a draw.
Vaishali’s journey to the top-8-player knockout phase in New York was unexpected, as she had expressed doubts about her blitz skills during the Swiss section of the championship. Despite battling a cold during her first visit to the United States, Vaishali managed to outperform her own expectations and secure a bronze medal.
One of the standout moments of the championship was Vaishali’s game against Russian Valentina Gunina, where she made 23 moves with seven seconds or less on the clock and eventually emerged victorious despite offering a draw at one point.
Legendary chess player Viswanathan Anand praised Vaishali for her performance, highlighting her qualification as a power-packed achievement. Anand, who has been instrumental in Vaishali’s development through the Westbridge Anand Chess Academy (WACA), commended her on a successful year in chess.
Vaishali’s bronze medal adds to the string of achievements by Indian chess players in 2024, with Koneru Humpy winning the World Rapid Championship earlier in the year. The success of Indian women in chess has been a significant highlight, with Vaishali’s performance serving as a testament to the growing talent in the country.
As Vaishali looks ahead to 2025, the bronze medal serves as a springboard for her future endeavors in the world of chess. With a strong support system and a track record of success, Vaishali is poised to make further strides in her chess career in the coming year.