Indian chess star R Vaishali etched her name in history once again by successfully defending her Women’s Grand Swiss title, becoming the first player ever to achieve this feat. The Chennai-born Grandmaster secured the crown on September 15, 2025, after holding former Women’s World Champion Tan Zhongyi to a draw in the final round in China. This hard-fought result ensured her sole lead in the standings and confirmed her qualification for the prestigious Candidates Tournament next year.

Her triumph means India will now have three women representatives in the Candidates: Vaishali joins Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh, making this India’s strongest presence ever in women’s chess at the world stage. The Candidates Tournament will decide who gets to challenge the reigning World Champion, keeping Indian hopes alive for a historic world title run.

Vaishali’s consistency and resilience have made her one of India’s brightest stars. She first won the Women’s Grand Swiss in 2023 at Isle of Man, and now, just two years later, she has successfully defended the crown. Her 2025 campaign was marked by six wins, four draws, and only one loss, showcasing her steady play against the world’s top players. Russian Grandmaster Kateryna Lagno also finished with eight points but lost out to Vaishali on tie-breaks, sealing the Indian GM’s historic back-to-back titles.

With her younger brother R Praggnanandhaa also heading to the Candidates in the open section, the sibling duo from Chennai is set to represent India at the very highest level of world chess. This is a monumental achievement not only for Vaishali personally but also for Indian chess, which is witnessing unprecedented growth and recognition globally.

As Vaishali now prepares for the Candidates, her journey continues to inspire thousands of young chess enthusiasts in India. With legends like Koneru Humpy, rising stars like Divya Deshmukh, and trailblazers like Vaishali herself, India is steadily becoming a powerhouse in women’s chess.