A Dream Realized
Speaking at the postgame press conference, Vaishali expressed immense joy at her achievement. “It’s amazing, a dream come true for me. When I lost to Zhu Jiner, everything suddenly opened up, and I’m happy I was able to stay focused in the last two rounds and give my best.” She credited her success to the unwavering support of her family, especially highlighting the sacrifices made over the years. Vaishali also acknowledged her younger brother, R Praggnanandhaa, emphasizing the unique journey of a family nurturing two elite chess professionals. “It’s been a collective family effort over many years, and each of us plays a part,” she noted.
Prize and Performance
For her victory, Vaishali is guaranteed a prize of at least €28,000. Additionally, she earned €2,200 for every half-point scored during the tournament, significantly boosting her total winnings.
Rising Against the Odds
Vaishali’s triumph is particularly remarkable given that she entered the tournament as the lowest-rated player. Despite this, she gained 26 rating points through her performance, though she remains below the 2500 mark and trails reigning champion Ju Wenjun by over 60 points in live ratings.
Her journey in chess has been marked by steady growth and notable achievements. She won World Youth titles in 2012 and 2015, contributed to India’s gold medal at the 2020 Online Chess Olympiad, and secured back-to-back victories at the Women’s Grand Swiss in 2023 and 2025. In 2024, she narrowly missed the Candidates title, finishing tied for second after a remarkable streak of five consecutive wins.
The Next Challenge
With this victory, Vaishali earns the right to challenge Ju Wenjun in the upcoming FIDE Women’s World Championship match. The clash promises to be a high-stakes encounter, featuring a €300,000 prize pool and the coveted world title.
A Bright Future for Indian Women’s Chess
Vaishali’s success reflects a broader rise in Indian women’s chess. Alongside her, players like Divya Deshmukh are making their mark internationally. Adding to this momentum, Bodhana Sivanandan recently became England’s top female chess player at just 11 years old.
Together, these rising stars signal a promising future, as India continues to strengthen its presence on the global chess stage—one strategic move at a time.
