R Vaishali reflects on her whirlwind 2024, calls for abolishing women’s titles

R Vaishali had a whirlwind year in 2024, achieving milestones that many can only dream of. From becoming the third Indian woman to achieve the Grandmaster title to playing a pivotal role in India’s historic Chess Olympiad gold-winning team, Vaishali’s journey was nothing short of remarkable. To top it all off, she clinched a blitz bronze medal at the World Rapid and Blitz Championships in New York.

In an exclusive interview with TOI, the 23-year-old from Chennai reflected on her eventful year and the road ahead. Despite facing challenges like falling ill during the tournament and dealing with disappointment after the rapid event, Vaishali remained resilient and focused on ending the year on a high note.

Vaishali credited her brother, R Praggnanandhaa, for being a source of support during the tournament. She also highlighted the importance of taking a break to rest and recharge before the competition, as well as the value of playing against male players to understand her strengths and weaknesses.

When asked about the recent comments made by Judit Polgar regarding the abolition of women’s titles, Vaishali expressed her agreement, stating that these titles can create a false sense of achievement and demotivate women from aiming for the Grandmaster title. She emphasized the need for more women to compete directly for GM titles and test their strengths against male players.

Looking ahead to 2025, Vaishali shared that she will continue to focus on classical chess while also preparing for rapid and blitz formats, which she believes will become more mainstream in the future. Despite not feeling consistent across formats, Vaishali’s goal is to achieve balance and consistency in her performance.

Vaishali also took the time to congratulate World Champion D Gukesh, with whom she has been training at the WestBridge Anand Chess Academy. She expressed pride in his achievement and highlighted the supportive and respectful relationship they share.

As Vaishali looks towards the future, her determination, resilience, and passion for the game are sure to drive her towards even greater success in the world of chess.