Nicosia, April 15: Indian chess star R. Vaishali made history by winning the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026 on Wednesday. This victory grants her the opportunity to challenge reigning champion Ju Wenjun in the upcoming World Championship.
The 24-year-old Vaishali secured the title by defeating Ukraine’s Kateryna Lagno in the final round, finishing with an impressive score of 8.5 out of 14 points. Throughout the tournament, she displayed calm and effective gameplay, finishing half a point ahead of her competitors.
This win is particularly significant as Vaishali began the tournament as one of the lower-rated players but managed to outshine everyone with her remarkable performance.
Her journey echoes that of India’s young Grandmaster D. Gukesh, who won the 2024 Candidates Tournament against all odds, capturing the title unexpectedly.
In her decisive match, Vaishali employed an excellent strategy. She established an early lead that she maintained throughout the game. With precise moves in the middle game, she converted her pawn advantage into victory.
However, to clinch the title, she also relied on the outcomes of other matches. Indian player Divya Deshmukh drew her game against Kazakhstan’s Bibisara Assaubayeva, ensuring Vaishali’s triumph.
Vaishali’s success is noteworthy, especially considering she once doubted her participation in this tournament. After a disappointing performance at the Chennai Grandmasters last year, where she scored only 1.5 points, she even contemplated skipping the Grand Swiss.
Despite these challenges, she made a stunning comeback on the big stage, claiming the title, and now her sights are set on the World Championship.
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