Prime Minister Narendra Modi has praised Indian chess sensation Vaishali Rameshbabu for her stellar win at the FIDE Women Grand Swiss tournament in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. On Tuesday, Vaishali defended her title with flying colors, earning a spot in the 2026 FIDE Women Candidates tournament.
Sharing his excitement on X (formerly Twitter), PM Modi wrote: “Outstanding accomplishment. Congrats to Vaishali Rameshbabu. Her passion and dedication are exemplary. Best wishes for her future endeavours.” It’s heartening to see the leader cheering on India’s rising stars in chess!
Vaishali racked up 8 points over 11 rounds, tying with Russia’s Kateryna Lagno but edging her out in the tie-breaks to grab the top spot. This victory makes her the third Indian woman to qualify for the 2026 Candidates, joining Divya Deshmukh—who triumphed at the Women World Cup—and Koneru Humpy, who made it to the World Cup final. What a powerhouse year for Indian women in chess!
For Vaishali, this win feels like a major comeback. Just months ago, she faced tough times, scoring only 1.5 points in nine rounds at the Chennai Grand Masters Challengers. She also bowed out in the World Cup quarterfinals against Tan Zhongyi and struggled in big events like the Norway Chess Women Tournament, Women Grand Prix in Austria and Pune, and Tata Steel Women Challengers.
Now, with this FIDE Women Grand Swiss triumph, Vaishali is back in the spotlight, proving her grit and talent. Indian chess fans are buzzing—could this be the start of even more glory?
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
