Latest News, Updates & Breaking Headlines
R Vaishali (Photo by Niki Riga) NEW DELHI: As the FIDE Candidates 2026 in Cyprus heads into a much-needed rest day, India’s Vaishali Rameshbabu has emerged as the woman to beat.The 24-year-old, despite a draw in the 10th round, has broken away from the pack to become the sole table-topper in the women’s section, which…
R Vaishali vs Divya Deshmukh (Photo by Niki Riga) NEW DELHI: In the zero-sum world of elite chess, the camaraderie between compatriots often has to be set aside at the board. This was evident on Wednesday at the Cap St Georges Hotel & Resort as India’s two sensations, R Vaishali and Divya Deshmukh, faced off…
Vaishali Rameshbabu of India vs Tan Zhongi of China (Photo by Yoav Nis) NEW DELHI: If you were to poll the global chess community on the likely victor of the FIDE Candidates 2026, the response would be near-unanimous: Javokhir Sindarov. The Uzbek sensation’s ruthless efficiency, evidenced by a staggering 6/7 score, suggests the crown is…
Vaishali, Divya Deshmukh, and Praggnanandhaa (Photos by Michal Walusza and Yoav Nis) NEW DELHI: As the FIDE Candidates Tournament crosses the near-midway mark of its 14-round marathon, a kind of intensity has started filling the Mediterranean air. However, for the Indian contingent, the narrative is split between a desperate scramble for relevance in the Open…
R Vaishali vs Divya Deshmukh (Photo by Yoav Nis) NEW DELHI: The second round of the FIDE Candidates 2026 began with a touch of royalty on Monday. Five-time world champion and FIDE Deputy President Viswanathan Anand stepped up to the board of Divya Deshmukh and Vaishali Rameshbabu to make the ceremonial first move.It was a…
India’s GM Vaishali Rameshbabu poses with her trophy after winning the FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss 2025 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. (FIDE/PTI) R Vaishali finished 10th and last in the Chennai Challengers tournament just a couple of weeks before the FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss. The GM lost about 24 rating points too. But the experience of playing…
R Vaishali (Photo: M Walusza/FIDE) Indian chess star GM R Vaishali has once again etched her name into the record books by defending her FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss title in 2025, sealing direct qualification for the prestigious Candidates 2026 tournament. The 24-year-old drew her final-round clash against China’s Tan Zhongyi to finish with 8 points…
Uzbekistan: Indian Grandmaster R Vaishali beat former world champion Mariya Muzychuk of Ukraine and jumped into joint lead after the end of the 10th and penultimate round in the women’s section of FIDE Grand Swiss here on Sunday. Vaishali knew she had to win to remain in contention and her approach right from the start…
