Historic! Vaishali wins Women's Candidates, sets up World C'ship match

NEW DELHI: History was created connected the Mediterranean shores arsenic Vaishali Rameshbabu clinched the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament connected Wednesday, earning the close to situation China’s reigning champion Ju Wenjun for the Women’s World Chess Championship crown aboriginal this year.Going into the last round, Vaishali’s destiny wasn’t wholly successful her ain hands. She needed a triumph against Kateryna Lagno and besides required Bibisara Assaubayeva to driblet points. The archetypal portion of that equation fell into spot erstwhile Divya Deshmukh held Bibisara to a important gully successful Cyprus, opening the doorway for Vaishali.

Seizing the moment, Vaishali delivered nether pressure. Playing with the achromatic pieces successful Round 14, she defeated Lagno successful style, capping disconnected a singular run successful the marathon tournament. Her composure and warring tone stood out, particularly successful high-stakes situations wherever each determination mattered.Vaishali’s travel done the tourney showcased some resilience and consistency. She secured cardinal wins against beardown opponents similar Lagno, Tan Zhongyi and Aleksandra Goryachkina, portion besides holding her crushed with important draws against apical contenders specified arsenic Anna Muzychuk. Though she faced setbacks, including losses to Zhu Jiner doubly (her lone defeats successful the tournament), she bounced backmost powerfully each time.

Now, each eyes crook to her blockbuster clash against Ju Wenjun, a five-time satellite champion known for her calm and objective play. The upcoming lucifer promises to beryllium a thrilling contention betwixt acquisition and rising talent. With a prize excavation of €300,000 astatine involvement and planetary attraction connected the event, Vaishali has already etched her sanction successful history. R Vaishali is guaranteed astatine slightest €28,000 for winning the Women’s Candidates Tournament. In addition, she earned €2,200 for each half-point scored during the event, expanding her full prize.