Vaishali Rameshbabu: Making History as India’s Second Woman to Challenge for the World Chess Title

Vaishali Rameshbabu Makes History as Second Indian Woman to Challenge for World Chess Title

Cyprus – In a remarkable turn of events, R Vaishali, the lowest-ranked seed in the Women’s Candidates tournament, has secured her place in chess history by earning the right to challenge China’s Ju Wenjun for the world title later this year. The 24-year-old from Chennai triumphed over Kateryna Lagno of Russia, finishing the tournament with an impressive 8.5 points after 14 rounds.

Vaishali’s journey to the title match was nothing short of extraordinary. With her brother, Praggnanandhaa, also making waves in the chess world, the duo represents a new generation of Indian chess talent. Vaishali expressed her elation during a Chess24 webcast, stating, “It means a lot to me… super happy. Won’t be able to put it in words.”

This achievement makes Vaishali only the second Indian woman to qualify for a World Championship match, following in the footsteps of Koneru Humpy, who competed in 2011. Humpy had to withdraw from the 2026 Candidates due to the ongoing West Asia conflict, leaving Vaishali to carry the torch for Indian women in chess.

Vaishali’s path to the title match was aided by her compatriot Divya Deshmukh, who held the joint overnight leader Bibisara Assaubayeva to a draw. This pivotal moment allowed Vaishali to secure her victory without the need for tiebreaks. Divya had previously defeated Humpy in the knockout World Cup final, showcasing the depth of talent in Indian chess.

Legendary player Judit Polgar praised Vaishali’s tenacity but cautioned that she must refine her game ahead of the championship match. “Vaishali has to do incredible work to improve different parts of her play. She cannot make as many mistakes as she did here because they won’t be forgiven,” Polgar noted.

In her decisive match against Lagno, Vaishali faced the Sicilian Dragon, a variation famously used by Garry Kasparov against Vishy Anand in their 1995 World Championship match. Despite having limited experience with this opening, Vaishali adapted her strategy, opting for a long castle that ultimately led to her victory.

Vaishali’s resilience has been evident throughout her career. After a challenging performance in the Open Challenger section of the Chennai GM event last August, where she lost eight out of ten games, she chose to persevere rather than withdraw. This determination has now paid off in spades.

As she prepares for her upcoming match against Ju Wenjun, Vaishali is working closely with her childhood coach, RB Ramesh, and the Westbridge Anand Chess Academy. Her mental preparation also includes collaboration with a psychologist, underscoring her commitment to excellence.

With the chess world eagerly anticipating the championship match, Vaishali Rameshbabu stands poised to make history, representing not just her family and city but an entire nation. As she steps onto the board, she carries the hopes of many, ready to challenge for the title and inspire the next generation of chess players.