Chess Underdog Vaishali Wins Shot at World Championship

A chess player who almost quit the game last August will now compete for the world championship title.

R Vaishali, 24, won the 2026 FIDE Women's Candidates tournament in a stunning comeback that mirrors her brother D Gukesh's underdog victory in 2024. She entered as the lowest-rated player in the field and emerged victorious by half a point, securing her spot to challenge China's Ju Wenjun for the Women's World Championship later this year.

The final round came down to the wire. Vaishali needed to defeat Kateryna Lagno with the white pieces while hoping her countrywoman Divya Deshmukh could hold off Bibisara Assaubayeva, who was tied on points. Both results went her way.

"She kept the nerves well at the crucial moment," said her childhood coach RB Ramesh during the live broadcast. Vaishali's preparation paid off perfectly as the opening unfolded exactly as she'd planned, giving her an early advantage she never relinquished.

The victory feels even sweeter considering Vaishali almost didn't make it to the Candidates at all. After scoring just 1.5 points at the Chennai Grand Masters in August, she fell into such a low mental state that she decided to skip the Grand Swiss tournament. Her brother Praggnanandhaa and GM Karthikeyan Murali convinced her to play anyway.

That pep talk changed everything. Vaishali won the Grand Swiss, qualified for the Candidates, and now has won the whole tournament with 8.5 points.

Why This Inspires

Vaishali's journey shows how close we can be to giving up right before our biggest breakthrough. One conversation with people who believed in her transformed despair into determination.

Her path also required some luck. She was completely losing against Tan Zhongyi in an earlier round before a blunder gave her the win. In their rematch, Tan couldn't convert her advantage. Those two games made the difference in the final standings.

For years, Vaishali lived in the shadow of her younger brother's chess success. Now she's carved her own path to glory. She'll face one of the greatest women's players in history when she meets Wenjun, but if anyone thrives as an underdog, it's Vaishali Rameshbabu.

"First, it has to sink in," Ramesh said after the win. The preparation for the biggest match of her life begins soon, and the chess world will be watching.