R Vaishali defends her FIDE Grand Swiss title successfully; advances to Candidates tournament

R Vaishali emerged victorious in FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 and qualified for the Candidates competition. With this triumph, she recorded two consecutive title wins in the tournament. In the previous installment of the tournament, held in the Isle of Man, United Kingdom (UK), she stunned her rivals in the women’s segment. This year, the competition was played in Uzbekistan’s Samarkand and the Chennai-based displayed nerves of steel and settled for a stalemate with China’s Tan Zhongyi in the final round. With the draw, she has come out as a sole leader in the competition. The 24-year-old also has also qualified for the Candidates Tournament, set to be held next year.

India will now have three players in the women's segment of The Candidates, besides

World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh and Koneru Humpy. The Candidates Tournament will deliver the challenger for the defending champion. Vaishali’s recent Grand Swiss success is similar to that of the previous edition. In this competition, she registered six victories, one defeats, and four draws. Vaishali’s brother R Praggnanandhaa will also show up in the Candidates Tournament.

PM Narendra Modi congratulates R Vaishali on her unprecedented achievement

R Vaishali has become the first Indian to defend the FIDE Women's Grand Swiss title successfully. Noting her extraordinary achievement, India’s Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi extended congratulatory wishes to her on social media. “Outstanding accomplishment. Congrats to Vaishali Rameshbabu. Her passion and dedication are exemplary. Best wishes for her future endeavours. @chessvaishali,” wrote India’s PM on X.

In the Candidates Tournament, India will have three players in the women’s section while in the men’s segment, India have got only player in R Praggnanandhaa, who has qualified for the tournament through the circuit performance.