Vaishali R Wins Womens Candidates Tournament
Float Chess News | 22nd April 2026
Grandmaster R Vaishali has won the Women's Candidates Tournament in Toronto, earning the right to challenge Ju Wenjun for the Women's World Chess Championship title.
Vaishali produced a stunning five-game winning streak in the second half of the tournament to overtake the leaders and claim first place with a round to spare. Her aggressive play and tactical bravery captured the hearts of chess fans worldwide.
"I still can't believe it," Vaishali said in her post-tournament interview. "I was just trying to play interesting chess, and things started falling into place."
With this victory, Vaishali joins her brother, Praggnanandhaa, as one of the most successful chess siblings in history, both competing at the highest levels of global chess.
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