R Vaishali’s Journey to Grandmaster Title: A Story of Perseverance and Support

R Vaishali, the Rising Star of Indian Chess, Achieves Grandmaster Title

Indian chess player R Vaishali has made headlines recently after officially being bestowed with the Grandmaster title by FIDE, becoming only the third Indian woman to achieve this prestigious feat. The 22-year-old completed the necessary 2500 ELO points at the Llobregat Open tournament in Spain, following in the footsteps of Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli.

In an interview with PTI, Vaishali revealed that there were moments of doubt along the way, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when her ratings stagnated due to lack of competition. However, with the unwavering support of her family and the belief of those around her, she managed to push through and achieve her goal.

Vaishali’s journey to becoming a Grandmaster was not without its challenges, but she credits her family, especially her parents, for being her biggest strength. With her younger brother, R Praggnanandhaa, also making waves in the chess world, the siblings have become the first brother-sister duo to qualify for the Candidates’ event this year.

Despite being in the final year of her PG Diploma course in Human Resource Management, Vaishali is clear about her priorities – professional chess. She is gearing up for her next assignment at the Women’s Masters in Norway, where she will be competing in a new format and time control.

With her determination, talent, and unwavering support system, R Vaishali is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with in the world of chess. Her journey to becoming a Grandmaster is not just a personal achievement but also a testament to the power of perseverance and belief in oneself.