In a thrilling climax on April 15, 2026, in Cyprus, Indian Grandmaster R. Vaishali (Vaishali Rameshbabu) etched her name into chess history by winning the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026 outright. The 24-year-old from Chennai finished with a score of 8.5/14, securing sole first place and earning the right to challenge reigning Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun of China in a title match later this year.
This victory marks a monumental milestone for Indian chess: Vaishali becomes the first Indian woman to win the Women’s Candidates Tournament. After 15 long years, an Indian player will once again compete for the Women’s World Chess Championship crown.
A Dramatic Final Round
Entering the last round, Vaishali was tied for the lead with Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva. Everything depended on the final games. Vaishali, playing with the white pieces against experienced Grandmaster Kateryna Lagno, delivered a superb technical performance. She emerged with an extra pawn early on and maintained control throughout, converting the advantage efficiently in 48 moves. Lagno eventually resigned under pressure.
Meanwhile, Assaubayeva could only manage a draw against India’s young talent Divya Deshmukh. This result handed Vaishali the clear victory without the need for tiebreaks.
Her final-round win was described as calm, composed, and highly professional — a fitting end to a rollercoaster tournament.
From Lowest-Rated to Champion
Vaishali started the event as the lowest-rated player in the field (rating around 2470). Despite this, she showed remarkable resilience. She suffered a couple of losses (notably both against Zhu Jiner) but bounced back strongly with key victories, including wins against Lagno (twice in the tournament), Aleksandra Goryachkina, and others.
Her path mirrored the fairytale run of her compatriot D. Gukesh in the 2024 open Candidates — defying expectations and rising to the occasion when it mattered most.
Final Standings
- 1. Vaishali Rameshbabu (IND) — 8.5/14
- 2. Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) — 8/14
- 3. Anna Muzychuk (UKR) / Zhu Jiner — around 7–7.5 points (exact positions varied slightly across reports)
Other strong contenders included Aleksandra Goryachkina, Tan Zhongyi, and India’s Divya Deshmukh, who put up a fearless showing in her debut Candidates appearance.
Who is R. Vaishali?
Born on June 21, 2001, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Vaishali Rameshbabu is the elder sister of rising star Praggnanandhaa R. She learned chess at a young age, inspired by her brother, and quickly displayed exceptional talent and discipline.
She became India’s third woman Grandmaster in 2024 (after Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli) and the first female GM from Tamil Nadu. Known for her solid technique and fighting spirit, Vaishali has been a consistent performer in major events. This Candidates triumph is undoubtedly the biggest achievement of her career so far.
She also takes home a significant winner’s prize of €28,000, plus additional performance-based rewards.
The World Championship Match
R. Vaishali will now face Ju Wenjun, who has dominated women’s chess as World Champion for several years. The match is expected later in 2026 and promises to be a fascinating clash between Vaishali’s dynamic style and Ju’s deep positional understanding.
For Indian chess fans, this is a dream come true. The success of players like Vaishali, Praggnanandhaa, Gukesh, and others highlights the incredible depth and growth of talent in the country.
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A Proud Moment for India
R. Vaishali’s victory has sparked massive celebrations across India. From social media to news channels, the chess community is buzzing with pride. Her story — starting as the underdog and finishing as the champion — is an inspiration for young players everywhere.
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