What an incredible achievement! R. Vaishali has once again carved her name in chess history, becoming the champion at the FIDE Grand Swiss. In one of the most highly anticipated events on the global chess calendar, the 24-year-old from Chennai demonstrated her exceptional skill and unwavering composure.
Following her surprising victory in the women’s section of the last tournament edition on the Isle of Man in 2023, Vaishali returned to conquer. This time, in the vibrant Uzbek city of Samarkand, she not only defended her title but also earned a direct entry into next year’s Candidates tournament – the ultimate qualifying event for the World Championship.
Her qualification is a monumental moment for Indian chess, guaranteeing that at least three of the eight female Candidates will hail from India. This is a truly extraordinary feat, with chess luminaries Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh also having secured their places.
While the previous Grand Swiss saw an Indian male champion in Vidit Gujrathi, this year brought a mixed bag of emotions for the country. The two open section Candidates slots were claimed by Anish Giri and Matthias Bluebaum. Despite a strong performance for much of the tournament, Nihal Sarin narrowly missed out on a spot after faltering in the crucial final stages.
Nevertheless, Vaishali’s brilliant performance is a source of immense pride and joy for Indian chess, which continues its impressive ascent on the world stage. This victory provides another significant boost to the women’s game, coming hot on the heels of Divya Deshmukh’s World Cup triumph just two months prior.
Divya, having already qualified for the Candidates, wisely opted to compete in the open section of the Grand Swiss, where she played above her rating. Both she and Vaishali stand as shining beacons of inspiration for aspiring young Indian female chess players, showing them what is possible through dedication and talent.