R Vaishali shared a deeply emotional moment with her family after winning the FIDE Women’s tournament in Cyprus on Wednesday 15 April. She became the first Indian woman to win the title, not only scripting but also earning a shot at the World Championships later this year.
Her brother R Praggnanandhaa and mother Nagalakshmi rushed to her side and clapped with pride and emotion as Vaishali accepted. Amid smiles and applause, the family shared a heartfelt celebration that reflected years of faith and an unforgettable triumph.
For R Praggnanandhaa, the celebrations carried a bittersweet note after a tough campaign that saw him slip out of contention despite a promising start.
Struggling to build momentum after an opening-round win over Anish Giri, he suffered key defeats – including one against Javokhir Sindarov – and endured an 11-match winless run to find himself bottom of the table with five points after 12 rounds.
Vaishali also revealed what her brother Praggnanandhaa told her about a pivotal moment in the game. “I only met him briefly. He said, ‘I felt good after c4.’ That’s the only thing he said,” shared Vaishali.
Her victory paved the way for a World Championship match against China’s reigning star Ju Wenjuna five-time champion who has dominated the women’s game in recent years. The title fight, which carries a purse of €300,000, is set to attract worldwide attention.
HOW DARE VAISHALI LAST?
R Vaishali’s journey to the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament title was more a story of resilience and quiet consistency than early dominance. After five laps of the 14-lap event, she found herself bottom of the standings alongside Divya Deshmukh and Tan Zhongyi, far from the front runners.
Constant reconstruction followed. Vaishali strung together a series of composed performances, capitalizing on others’ typos and making sure she stayed in touch. In the final lap, the race narrowed down to a three-way contest, with Vaishali holding on to the lead with Bibisara Assaubayev, while Zhu Jiner trailed close behind.
The final day’s equation was clear. Facing Kateryna Lagna with the white pieces, Vaishali needed to match Assaubayev’s result. Help came from the adjacent board where Divya held Assaubayeva to a decisive draw, keeping Vaishali within reach of the title.
She made sure there were no typos. In a calm, controlled display, Vaishali outplayed Lagna to secure a full point and seal the title. Her campaign was defined by balance – key wins over Lagn, Aleksandra Goryachkina and Tan, along with crucial draws against experienced players such as Anna Muzychuk.
Despite two losses to Zhu Jiner, Vaishali responded with composure each time. From being an early outsider to overcoming a field of seasoned contenders, her triumph stands as a testament to patience, nerve and consistency under pressure.
– The end
Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
15 Apr 2026 23:41 IST
