Indian Grandmaster Rameshbabu Vaishali achieved a historic milestone by defeating Kateryna Lagno in a hard-fought final round to win the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament. The victory secured her position as the official challenger for the Women’s World Chess Championship, making her one of the few Indian women to reach this elite level in international chess.
The match against Lagno was intense and strategically complex, with both players demonstrating high-level preparation and resilience. Vaishali showed remarkable composure under pressure, especially in the closing stages of the game, where a single mistake could have changed the outcome. Her determination and calculated moves ultimately gave her the edge, allowing her to clinch the title after a series of consistent performances throughout the tournament.
This achievement is widely seen as a breakthrough moment for Indian chess. Experts, including former world champion Viswanathan Anand, praised Vaishali’s fighting spirit and ability to withstand pressure against experienced opponents. Her success reflects the growing strength of India’s chess ecosystem and the emergence of young talent capable of competing at the highest global level.
With this victory, Vaishali will now face reigning world champion Ju Wenjun in the upcoming Women’s World Chess Championship match. The contest is expected to attract global attention, as Vaishali aims to bring the world title to India and continue the country’s remarkable rise in international chess.
