R Vaishali soaked in a deeply emotional moment with her family after winning the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament in Cyprus on Wednesday, April 15. Becoming the first Indian to claim the title, she not only scripted history but also earned a shot at the World Championship later this year.
Her brother R Praggnanandhaa and mother Nagalakshmi rushed to her, applauding with pride and emotion as Vaishali took it all in. Amid smiles and claps, the family shared a heartfelt celebration, one that reflected years of belief and an unforgettable triumph.
For R Praggnanandhaa, the celebrations carried a bittersweet note after a challenging campaign that saw him slip out of contention despite a promising start.
Following an opening-round win over Anish Giri, he struggled to build momentum, suffering key defeats—including one against Javokhir Sindarov—and endured an 11-game winless run, leaving him near the bottom of the standings with five points after 12 rounds.
Vaishali also revealed what her brother Praggnanandhaa told her about a key moment in the game. “I just met him briefly. He said, ‘after c4, I felt fine.’ That’s the only thing he said,” Vaishali shared.
Her victory has paved the way for a World Championship showdown against China’s reigning star Ju Wenjun, a five-time champion who has dominated the women’s game in recent years. The title clash, carrying a prize purse of €300,000, is set to attract global attention.
HOW VAISHALI HAD THE LAST LAUGH?
R Vaishali’s journey to the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament title was a story of resilience and quiet consistency rather than early dominance. After five rounds of the 14-round event, she found herself near the bottom of the standings alongside Divya Deshmukh and Tan Zhongyi, far from the frontrunners.
What followed was a steady rebuild. Vaishali stitched together a series of composed performances, capitalising on others’ slip-ups while ensuring she stayed within touching distance. By the final round, the race had narrowed to a three-way contest, with Vaishali tied at the top with Bibisara Assaubayeva, while Zhu Jiner trailed closely.
The final-day equation was clear. Facing Kateryna Lagno with the white pieces, Vaishali needed to match Assaubayeva’s result. Help came from the adjacent board, where Divya held Assaubayeva to a crucial draw, keeping the title within Vaishali’s grasp.
She ensured there were no slip-ups. In a calm, controlled display, Vaishali outplayed Lagno to secure the full point and seal the title. Her campaign was defined by balance—key wins over Lagno, Aleksandra Goryachkina and Tan, along with crucial draws against experienced players like Anna Muzychuk.
Despite two losses to Zhu Jiner, Vaishali responded with composure each time. From being an early outsider to outlasting a field of seasoned contenders, her triumph stands out as a testament to patience, nerve and consistency under pressure.
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