Grandmaster R Vaishali Eyes Consistency and Candidates Tournament Spot

Indian chess Grandmaster R Vaishali is determined to achieve consistent performances and qualify for the prestigious Candidates Tournament this year. The 23-year-old has already made history by becoming the third Indian woman to earn the Grandmaster title. She played a vital role in India’s gold-medal-winning run at the Chess Olympiad and secured a bronze medal at the World Blitz Championship.

Vaishali acknowledges that maintaining consistency is crucial for her career progress. “My main goal is to show consistent performance and play some good games. By the end of the year, I aim to qualify for the Candidates Tournament,” she said. Having competed in the Candidates last year, she is eager to return to the event that determines the challenger for the Women’s World Chess Championship.

Her bronze medal at the World Blitz Championship was a significant confidence boost after a series of disappointing tournaments. “It was an important result for my confidence, especially after some bad tournaments. Ending the year on a high note felt great,” she shared.

However, Vaishali also faced setbacks, losing rating points along the way. Despite this, she views the experience as a learning opportunity. “Last year was a mix of highs and lows. I had some good results but also lost some rating points. Playing in strong round-robin tournaments and prestigious events like the Candidates was a great learning experience,” she said.

At the recent Tata Steel Chess Tournament, Vaishali finished ninth in the Challenger section. She believes she could have performed better had she capitalized on key opportunities. “Tata Steel is a strong tournament, and my performance was decent. I could have scored a few more points. I had good positions that I failed to convert, something I’ll work on improving,” she noted.

During the tournament, a viral clip showed Uzbek Grandmaster Nodirbek Yakubboev refusing to shake hands with Vaishali for religious reasons. However, she remained unaffected by the incident. “I was focused on my games and didn’t realize it was a big deal in India. It didn’t impact me in any way,” she stated.

Vaishali is now preparing for the Norway Chess Women tournament, set to take place from May 26 to June 6. She is excited about the event’s unique Armageddon format and the opportunity to compete alongside the world’s top players.

Having her younger brother, Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa, as a mentor has also been invaluable. “He’s a strong player and a great support system for me. I always seek his advice, and he is happy to discuss chess with me,” she said.