R Vaishali wins FIDE Women’s Candidates 2026, to face Ju Wenjun for world title

India’s rising chess star R Vaishali scripted a remarkable victory at the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026, securing her place in the World Championship match against reigning champion Ju Wenjun later this year.

At just 24, Vaishali delivered under pressure when it mattered most, defeating Kateryna Lagno in the final round to finish with 8.5 points from 14 games, edging the competition by half a point.

Heading into the final round, the stakes could not have been higher. Playing with the white pieces, Vaishali executed a near-flawless game, seizing the initiative early with a well-prepared opening and converting her advantage with precision. A crucial pawn edge allowed her to control the middlegame, and a series of accurate moves around the second time control ultimately sealed the result.

Despite the immense pressure, she remained composed throughout. One slip could have cost her the title, but Vaishali held her nerve to close out the game in commanding fashion.

The result alone, however, was not enough to guarantee victory. The outcome of a parallel game proved decisive, as fellow Indian Divya Deshmukh held Bibisara Assaubayeva to a draw. With Assaubayeva starting the round level on points with Vaishali, that result ensured the Indian grandmaster finished outright on top.

Vaishali’s triumph is even more remarkable considering her journey to the title. Entering the tournament as one of the lowest-rated players, she was not widely seen as a frontrunner. After a disappointing outing at the Chennai Grand Masters last year, where she managed just 1.5 points, she had even considered skipping the qualification cycle altogether.

Yet, her performance in the Candidates told a completely different story. Despite a slight dip in form towards the end, scoring just half a point in the two rounds before the finale, Vaishali rose to the occasion when it mattered most. Key wins earlier in the tournament, including crucial games against top contenders such as Tan Zhongyi, laid the foundation for her title-winning campaign.

Her progress has been steady and significant. After finishing joint second in the 2024 Candidates with 7.5 points, Vaishali improved by a full point this time to clinch the title, an improvement that proved both decisive and historic.

Her journey also echoes the fairytale run of compatriot D Gukesh, who stunned the chess world by winning the Candidates in 2024.

With IANS inputs