NICOSIA, Cyprus (Diya TV) — India’s R. Vaishali delivered a stunning performance to win the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026 on April 15, earning a shot at the world title later this year. The 24-year-old grandmaster defeated Kateryna Lagno in the final round to seal her victory dramatically. Vaishali finished with 8.5 points out of 14 rounds. She secured first place by a narrow half-point margin. With this triumph, she will now challenge reigning world champion Ju Wenjun in the upcoming Women’s World Chess Championship.
Vaishali entered the tournament as one of the lowest-rated players. Few expected her to win. However, she steadily built momentum and delivered consistent performances throughout the event. Her victory marks a major milestone in Indian chess. It also mirrors the remarkable rise of D Gukesh, who shocked the chess world by winning the Candidates Tournament in 2024. Vaishali had come close before. She finished joint second in the 2024 edition with 7.5 points. This year, she improved her score by a full point and claimed the title outright.
The final round proved decisive. Playing with white pieces, Vaishali stayed calm and focused. Her opening strategy worked perfectly and gave her an early edge. She carried that advantage into the middlegame with precise and controlled play. With a pawn lead, she avoided unnecessary risks and maintained pressure on Lagno.
Every move required accuracy. One mistake could have changed the outcome. But Vaishali held her nerve. She executed key moves around the second time control and closed the game with near-perfect technique. Her composed approach under pressure highlighted her maturity and growth as a player.
Vaishali’s win also depended on the results from other games. Fellow Indian player Divya Deshmukh played a key role. Deshmukh held Bibisara Assaubayeva to a draw in the final round. Assaubayeva had started the day level on points with Vaishali. The draw ensured Vaishali’s victory remained decisive. This combination of results confirmed Vaishali as the tournament winner.
Vaishali’s journey to the title was not easy. She faced setbacks in the months leading up to the tournament. At the Chennai Grand Masters last year, she managed only 1.5 points. That performance shook her confidence. She even considered skipping the Grand Swiss, a key qualifying event. Despite those doubts, she chose to continue competing. That decision proved crucial.
Even during the Candidates’ Tournament, she faced challenges. She scored only half a point in her last two games before the final round. Yet she delivered when it mattered most. Her earlier games, especially against Tan Zhongyi, also played a key role in building her final score.
In the Open section of the Candidates Tournament, Javokhir Sindarov emerged as the winner. He finished with 9.5 points and secured victory with a round to spare. Sindarov dominated the field and finished two points ahead of Anish Giri of the Netherlands. With this result, Sindarov earned the right to challenge world champion Gukesh later this year.
Vaishali’s victory adds to India’s growing presence in global chess. Alongside Gukesh and other rising stars, she represents a new generation of talent. Her success will inspire young players across the country. It also sets the stage for an exciting world championship clash against Ju Wenjun.
