Vaishali’s Ambitions for 2025: Consistent Performances and Qualifying for Candidates Tournament

Indian chess Grandmaster R Vaishali is setting her sights on a spot in the prestigious Candidates Tournament as she aims for consistent performances in the upcoming year. The 23-year-old had a remarkable 2024, achieving the Grandmaster title, contributing to India’s gold medal at the Chess Olympiad, and securing a bronze at the World Blitz Championship.

Vaishali’s main goal is to maintain a steady performance level and qualify for the Candidates Tournament, which determines the challenger for the World Chess Championship. Reflecting on her recent successes, she emphasized the importance of these goals for her career trajectory.

Recently, Vaishali participated in the Tata Steel Chess Tournament’s Challenger section, finishing ninth. Despite missed opportunities, she remains focused on converting advantageous positions in future competitions to improve her standing.

An incident during the Tata Steel Chess Tournament involving Uzbek Grandmaster Nodirbek Yakubboev gained attention when Nodirbek refused to shake hands with Vaishali due to religious beliefs. However, Vaishali remained focused on her gameplay, undistracted by the social media buzz surrounding the event.

Looking ahead, Vaishali is excited to participate in the upcoming Norway Chess Women tournament, which features a unique Armageddon format for drawn classical games. She enjoyed the experience last year and is looking forward to the challenge of the new format.

Vaishali’s determination and focus on her goals make her a strong contender in the world of chess, and her ambition to qualify for the Candidates Tournament showcases her drive to compete at the highest level.