By Sports Desk | April 16, 2026
In a moment of immense pride for Indian sports, Grandmaster R. Vaishali has officially won the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026 held in Cyprus. By clinching the title on Wednesday (April 15), the 24-year-old has made history, earning the right to challenge the reigning World Champion, Ju Wenjun of China, later this year.
1. The Decisive Final Round
The final round in Cyprus was nothing short of a thriller. Vaishali went into the last game as a joint-leader with Bibisara Assaubayeva.
- The Game: Playing with the white pieces, Vaishali faced Russia’s Kateryna Lagno. She showed remarkable composure and technical brilliance, converting a pawn advantage into a decisive victory.
- The Assist: While Vaishali won her game, fellow Indian player Divya Deshmukh played a crucial role by holding Bibisara Assaubayeva to a draw. This ensured that Vaishali finished as the sole winner with 8.5 points out of 14.
2. A Fairytale Turnaround
Vaishali’s journey in this tournament was a lesson in persistence.
- She started as one of the lower-rated players in the field and faced a tough middle phase.
- However, much like D. Gukesh’s run in 2024, she staged an incredible comeback in the final stages to overtake the favorites.
- With this win, she becomes only the second Indian woman ever (after Koneru Humpy) to challenge for the World Championship title.
3. Open Section: Sindarov to Face Gukesh
The Men’s (Open) section also saw a massive result. Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov clinched the title with a round to spare, finishing on an unbeaten 9.5 points.
- History in the Making: Sindarov will now face India’s D. Gukesh for the World Championship.
- Youngest Ever: This will be the youngest World Championship match in the history of chess, with both Gukesh and Sindarov being just 20 years old.
4. What’s Next for Vaishali?
The FIDE Women’s World Championship Match is expected to take place in the last quarter of 2026. Vaishali will travel to China (or a neutral venue) to face Ju Wenjun, who has held the title since 2018. If Vaishali wins, she will become India’s first-ever Women’s World Chess Champion.
Quick FAQ: FIDE Candidates 2026 Results
Q1. Where was the FIDE Candidates 2026 held?
The tournament took place at the Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort in Cyprus.
Q2. How many points did R. Vaishali score?
She finished with 8.5 points out of 14, winning the tournament outright.
Q3. Who will Vaishali face in the World Championship?
She will challenge the current World Champion, Ju Wenjun of China.
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