Vaishali opens up after a historic triumph

After winning the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026 in Cyprus, Vaishali Rameshbabu reached one of the defining milestones of her career and then shared her emotions in a candid interview. Speaking to Charlize van Zyl, the Indian grandmaster underlined that this result was not only a personal achievement but also a dream come true for her family. Vaishali stressed the significance of winning the Candidates on the road to a World Championship match, adding that coming out on top in such a fiercely contested and unpredictable event made the victory even more meaningful.

The final round delivered the kind of tension that will be remembered in women’s chess for a long time. Before round 14, six of the eight players still had a mathematical chance of finishing first, a clear sign of just how balanced the event had been. Facing the experienced Kateryna Lagno in the last round, Vaishali explained that she did not change her routine and stayed loyal to her usual preparation process. Her approach was simple and disciplined: the only thing I can control is my own game. Instead of being consumed by standings and possible outcomes, she focused on the quality of her play at the board. Although Lagno’s choice of the Sicilian Defense, Dragon Variation came as a surprise, Vaishali had worked on that structure before the tournament, and that preparation gave her confidence at a critical moment.

Vaishali’s remarks also highlight how psychological resilience can be just as decisive as opening preparation at the highest level. Under the pressure of a final round, many players can become overly focused on calculations outside the board or on tournament standings, but Vaishali’s comments reveal a player whose greatest strengths include calmness and practical decision-making. In an event marked by constant swings and frequent changes in the leaderboard, survival required not only strong moves but also exceptional mental balance. This victory showed that she belongs among the world elite not just through theoretical preparation, but also through endgame toughness, fighting spirit, and crisis management.

Seen in the broader context of India’s rise in world chess, Vaishali’s success carries even greater significance. A player who has pursued the game with passion since childhood and who clearly lives by the idea that chess makes me happy, she has become an inspiration for the new generation. With her Candidates triumph, attention now turns toward the World Championship match. What happened in Cyprus was more than a tournament victory; it was a powerful chess story shaped by discipline, family support, sound preparation, and a genuine love for the game.