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NEW DELHI: History was created on the Mediterranean shores as Vaishali Rameshbabu clinched the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament on Wednesday, earning the right to challenge China’s reigning champion Ju Wenjun for the Women’s World Chess Championship crown later this year.Going into the final round, Vaishali’s fate wasn’t entirely in her own hands. She needed a win against Kateryna Lagno and also required Bibisara Assaubayeva to drop points. The first part of that equation fell into place when Divya Deshmukh held Bibisara to a crucial draw in Cyprus, opening the door for Vaishali.
Seizing the moment, Vaishali delivered under pressure. Playing with the white pieces in Round 14, she defeated Lagno in style, capping off a remarkable campaign in the marathon tournament. Her composure and fighting spirit stood out, especially in high-stakes situations where every move mattered.Vaishali’s journey through the tournament showcased both resilience and consistency. She secured key wins against strong opponents like Lagno, Tan Zhongyi and Aleksandra Goryachkina, while also holding her ground with important draws against top contenders such as Anna Muzychuk. Though she faced setbacks, including losses to Zhu Jiner twice (her only defeats in the tournament), she bounced back strongly each time.Now, all eyes turn to her blockbuster clash against Ju Wenjun, a five-time world champion known for her calm and clinical play. ALSO READ: Harika Dronavalli Exclusive | ‘Blank mind’ and bold leap: How the veteran cracked freestyle chess on debutThe upcoming match promises to be a thrilling contest between experience and rising talent. With a prize pool of €300,000 at stake and global attention on the event, Vaishali has already etched her name in history. R Vaishali is guaranteed at least €28,000 for winning the Women’s Candidates Tournament. In addition, she earned €2,200 for every half-point scored during the event, increasing her total prize.
