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♟️ R Vaishali Defends Grand Swiss Title, Enters Candidates 2026: A New Chapter in Indian Chess

In a moment that will echo through the corridors of Indian chess history, Grandmaster R Vaishali has successfully defended her FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss title, securing a direct berth in the Candidates Tournament 2026. With this, she becomes the third Indian woman to qualify for the prestigious event—joining Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh in a triumphant trio.

♟️ What Is the FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss Title?

The FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss is one of the most prestigious tournaments in the women’s chess calendar, organized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE). Held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, the 2025 edition featured 56 top-rated players from around the world in an 11-round Swiss format.

🎯 Why It Matters

  • It’s a direct qualification path to the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026, which determines who will challenge for the Women’s World Chess Championship.
  • The top two finishers in the Grand Swiss earn automatic entry into the Candidates.
  • It offers a significant prize pool—boosted to $230,000 in 2025.
  • It’s a proving ground for consistency, resilience, and elite-level performance.

🏆 A Victory Forged in Resilience

Vaishali’s journey to the top was anything but smooth. After a painful performance at the Chennai Grand Masters, where she lost seven consecutive games, she nearly withdrew from the Grand Swiss. But instead of retreating, she transformed her setback into strength.

“The Chennai experience is the reason I won the tournament,” she told ChessBase India.

Her final round draw against China’s Tan Zhongyi sealed her place with 8 points from 11 rounds, crowning her champion once again.

Three Queens of Indian Chess

With Vaishali’s qualification, India now has three women in the Candidates 2026—a feat never before achieved.

👑 Player                        🏆 Qualification Path

Koneru Humpy                Women’s World Cup 2023

Divya Deshmukh            Women’s World Cup 2023

R Vaishali                        Grand Swiss Champion 2025

This follows the rise of D Gukesh as World Champion, signaling a golden age for Indian chess across genders.

🏁 Tournaments Unlocked by This Win

By winning the Grand Swiss, Vaishali gains:

  • Entry to the Candidates Tournament 2026
  • A chance to compete for the Women’s World Championship title
  • Enhanced global ranking and visibility
  • Potential invitations to elite mixed-gender tournaments like the Grand Prix, Tata Steel Chess, and Champions Chess Tour
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