Indian chess has another golden chapter to celebrate. Vaishali Rameshbabu, one of the brightest stars of the country’s new generation, has become the first player in history in either the open or women’s section to win back-to-back FIDE Grand Swiss titles. Her triumph at the 2025 Women’s Grand Swiss in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, has not only confirmed her reputation as a world-class competitor but also placed her firmly in the upcoming Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026.
The event could not have ended in more dramatic fashion. Vaishali finished with eight points from eleven rounds, tied at the top with the experienced Russian grandmaster Kateryna Lagno. Victory, however, was decided on tiebreaks — the “average rating of opponents, cut-1” system — and it was Vaishali who edged ahead. That subtle arithmetic sealed her second successive crown, an achievement no other player has managed in the brief yet prestigious history of the Grand Swiss.
The final round encapsulated Vaishali’s growing maturity. Facing former Women’s World Champion Tan Zhongyi with the Black pieces, she resisted pressure with calm defence. At a critical moment, she even sacrificed a pawn to steer the game into an endgame with opposite-coloured bishops. It was a practical decision: a half-point would be enough to keep her chances alive, and she calculated with precision. The game ended in a draw, but it felt like a victory.
Lagno, too, drew her last game, meaning both women stood level on points. Yet it was Vaishali who walked away with the trophy, while both players booked their tickets to the next Candidates.
This remarkable triumph is the resilience Vaishali showed along the way. Her campaign was not flawless; she suffered a painful defeat in Round 8 against Bibisara Assaubayeva. For many players, such a loss in the latter stages can derail momentum. Vaishali, however, steadied herself. She followed it with vital draws and then delivered a crucial win against Mariya Muzychuk in Round 10. That victory restored her standing at the top and set the stage for her historic defence of the title.
The larger significance cannot be overlooked. Vaishali’s victory is another milestone in the rise of Indian women’s chess. For long, Indian chess was seen largely through the lens of Viswanathan Anand and the open section. Today, players like Vaishali, Humpy Koneru, and Harika Dronavalli have given India a strong presence in the women’s circuit. Vaishali’s achievement in Samarkand is not just personal glory but a signal that India now competes with depth and consistency on both fronts.
Winning two consecutive Grand Swiss tournaments is more than a statistic. It reflects a blend of tactical sharpness, psychological strength, and strategic maturity. Vaishali has shown she can absorb setbacks, manage high-stakes situations, and choose practical paths to victory. These are precisely the qualities needed to succeed at the highest level.
The next challenge looms in the form of the Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026, where she will face the toughest field of her career. The Grand Swiss may be behind her, but the World Championship cycle is ahead, and that is where Vaishali’s journey now leads.
