Indian Grandmaster Vaishali Rameshbabu achieved a historic milestone by winning the 2025 FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss chess tournament in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, her second consecutive triumph at this elite event.
With a nail-biting final-round draw against Tan Zhongyi, Vaishali scored 8/11, edging Kateryna Lagno on tiebreaks to take first place and secure direct qualification for the prestigious 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament. Her victory drew heartfelt accolades from leaders and chess officials nationwide.
Vaishali’s Path to Glory
Vaishali Rameshbabu’s campaign in the Grand Swiss was marked by resilience, strategic maturity, and psychological strength. Entering the final round tied for the lead, she needed at least a draw to guarantee both her spot in the Candidates and her shot at the title.
Facing former World Champion Tan Zhongyi with the black pieces, Vaishali navigated a complex middlegame before calmly securing a draw in a pawn-down endgame, displaying expert endgame technique under immense pressure.
Her consistent play, six wins, four draws, and a single loss, underscored her evolution as a world-class competitor. “I’m happy I didn’t collapse under pressure,” Vaishali later told the media, highlighting her journey back after suffering seven consecutive defeats at the Chennai Grand Masters earlier this year.
Vaishali’s journey is rooted in early success, having claimed the Girls’ World Youth Chess Championships in Under-12 and Under-14 categories. At just 12, she famously defeated Magnus Carlsen in a simultaneous exhibition, showcasing her immense potential.
Over the years, she earned the titles of Woman International Master at 15, Woman Grandmaster at 17, and International Master at 20, highlighting her steady and remarkable ascent through global chess ranks.
Historic and Unprecedented Achievement
Vaishali’s back-to-back Grand Swiss victories make her the only player in the event’s history, male or female, to defend the title successfully. This feat is even more impressive considering the elite and unpredictable field each year.
With this win, she joins Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh as the third Indian woman in the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament, a testament to India’s rapidly rising influence in the global chess arena. Her achievement has inspired comparisons to the legendary Viswanathan Anand era, and the rise of the Rameshbabu siblings, her brother Praggnanandhaa will play in the Open Candidates, highlights the strength of Indian chess families.
Applause from Leaders and Chess World
Vaishali’s victory was celebrated across India. Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended her “outstanding accomplishment,” emphasising her passion and dedication as “exemplary” and wishing her continued success. The International Chess Federation (FIDE) and leading Indian officials echoed this admiration, noting Vaishali’s inspirational journey from setbacks to stardom.
Her calm under pressure, sportsmanship, and humility have positioned her as a role model for young athletes nationwide. “Her story proves that setbacks do not define one’s journey, resilience does,” opined a FIDE representative.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Vaishali Rameshbabu’s success is a transformative moment for Indian sport and women’s chess, demonstrating that perseverance, family support, and community encouragement can break barriers.
As three Indian women now vie for the world title, the nation is called to invest in inclusive pathways, mentorship, and equity in sports.
🇮🇳 Vaishali Rameshbabu (@chessvaishali) being awarded her medal and winner’s trophy by FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich at the closing ceremony of the Women's #FIDEGrandSwiss. pic.twitter.com/0rNPAsGDBw
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) September 15, 2025
The Rameshbabu family together after Vaishali became the FIDE Women's Grand Swiss 2025! Enjoy some cute moments of @rpraggnachess, @chessvaishali and their mother Nagalakshmi after the prize ceremony. pic.twitter.com/7WZ3a3Jk9D
— ChessBase India (@ChessbaseIndia) September 15, 2025
