R Vaishali Makes History: First Indian Woman to Qualify for Women’s World Chess Championship
Indian Grandmaster R Vaishali Makes History, Set to Challenge Ju Wenjun in Women’s World Championship
April 15, 2026, 23:29 IST
In a groundbreaking achievement for Indian chess, Grandmaster R Vaishali Rameshbabu has become the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament, securing her spot in the upcoming Women’s World Chess Championship. The historic victory unfolded in Cyprus, where Vaishali triumphed over Russia’s Kateryna Lagno in a gripping final round, sealing her place as the challenger to reigning world champion Ju Wenjun.
Vaishali’s decisive win came after Lagno resigned in 48 moves, unable to counter Vaishali’s commanding position on the board. With her queen and two rooks in a dominant formation, Vaishali showcased her strategic prowess, calmly guiding the game to a victorious conclusion.
Entering Round 14 with 7.5 points, Vaishali was in a tight race for the title alongside Uzbek Grandmaster Bibisara Assaubayeva. A win was essential for Vaishali to clinch the championship outright, while a draw could have led to tie-breakers. As fate would have it, Assaubayeva’s draw against Women’s World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh opened the door for Vaishali, who seized the opportunity with a decisive victory.
Who is R Vaishali?
Born in Chennai, R Vaishali is no stranger to the chess world. She first gained recognition at the age of 12 by winning the World Youth Chess Championships in the Under-12 category in 2012, followed by another victory in the Under-14 category in 2015. Her impressive track record includes titles such as the National Junior Girls Championship in 2015 and 2016, and she earned her Woman International Master (WIM) title in 2016.
Vaishali achieved the Woman Grandmaster (WGM) title in 2018 and became an International Master (IM) in 2021. In 2023, she completed her journey to becoming a full Grandmaster by crossing the 2500 Elo rating mark, making her only the third woman from India to achieve this milestone.
Her contributions to Indian chess extend beyond individual accolades; she played a pivotal role in India’s gold medal victory at the Online Chess Olympiad in 2020 and helped the women’s team clinch gold at the Chess Olympiad in 2024. Additionally, she earned a bronze medal at the Women’s World Blitz Championship and has delivered strong performances in prestigious tournaments like the Tata Steel Challengers and Qatar Masters.
Vaishali is also the elder sister of R Praggnanandhaa, another rising star in Indian chess. Together, they made history as the first brother-sister pair to qualify for the Candidates tournaments and are the first siblings to achieve Grandmaster status. Notably, she is the first woman Grandmaster from Tamil Nadu.
As Vaishali prepares to face Ju Wenjun later this year, the chess community eagerly anticipates what promises to be an exhilarating showdown. With her remarkable journey and historic achievements, R Vaishali is not just a contender; she is a trailblazer for future generations of chess players in India and beyond.
For more details on her journey and the upcoming championship, visit Firstpost.