New Delhi: Chess grandmaster Vaishali Rameshbabu etched her name in the record books by successfully defending her FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss title. She defeated Chinese GM Tan Zhongyi in the final round in Uzbekistan on Monday, September 15.
Both GMs were playing sensibly, as neither player pushed the game for a win. Vaishali needed only a draw to finish the tournament with eight points out of a possible 11. Kateryna Lagno also concluded the event with eight points, as she also played a draw in the last round, but with an inferior tiebreak score to the Indian, Vaishali got an edge over Lagno.
Vaishali also qualified for the FIDE Women’s Candidates qualification by winning her second consecutive Grand Swiss title.
Who is Vaishali Rameshbabu?
Vaishali Rameshbabu was born on June 21, 2001, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. She is also the elder sister of Indian Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa. They are also the first brother-sister duo in chess to hold the titles.
Vaishali’s passion for chess started at a young age. Her family was always encouraging, and she began playing chess at the age of six. She was always inspired by her brother Praggnanandhaa.
The 24-year-old grandmaster got the recognition in 2012, when she won the U-12 Girls’ World Youth Chess Championship, followed by a U-14 triumph in the event.
At the age of just 12, Vishali beat Magnus Carlsen in a simul competition. In 2016, the Indian star secured the Woman International Master (WIM) title and was ranked second in India.
Vaishali became the Woman Grandmaster by completing the final norm in the Riga Technical University Open chess tournament on August 12, 2018.
Vaishali Rameshbabu’s achievements
Vaishali played a key role in the gold-medal-winning team at the Online Olympiad 2020. She participated in the FIDE Women’s Speed Chess Championship (WSCC) for the first time in 2020 and finished in eighth position.
Vaishali had a bad season in 2021 as she exited in the first round of WSCC, but came back stronger the next year. She became a semi-finalist in WSCC 2022 after defeating IM Bibisara Assaubayeva and GM Harika Dronavali.
She won the 2023 Grand Swiss with an 8.5 score out of a possible 11 and qualified for the Candidates 2024. Vaishali also won the Qatar Masters Open with a score of five out of a possible 9. Vaishali earned the final GM norm after winning the tournament.