New Delhi: History was made on the shores of the Mediterranean as Vaishali Rameshbabu won the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament on Wednesday, earning the right to challenge China’s reigning champion Jo Wenjin for the Women’s World Chess Championship crown later this year.Going into the final round, VaishaliHis fate was not entirely in his own hands. She needed a win against Caterina Ligno and also needed to drop points against Bessara Essaoubaifa. The first part of the equation came when Divya Deshmukh stopped Bibi Sara in a crucial draw in Cyprus, opening the door for Vaishali.
Taking advantage of this moment, Vaishali said under pressure. Playing with the white pieces in round 14, he defeated Ligno in style, capping off an impressive campaign in the marathon tournament. His courage and fighting spirit stood out, especially in situations where every move mattered.Vaishali’s journey through the tournament demonstrated resilience and consistency. She picked up key wins against strong opponents such as Ligno, Tan Zhongyi and Alexandra Gorichkina, while holding her ground with key draws against top contenders such as Anna Muzyczyk. Although he suffered setbacks, including two losses to Zhu Jin (his only loss in the tournament), he bounced back strongly each time.Now, all eyes are on her blockbuster clash against Wengen, a five-time world champion known for her calm and clinical game. The upcoming match promises to be a thrilling contest between experienced and budding talent. With a prize pool of €300,000 and a global focus on the event, Vaishali has already written her name in history. R Vaishali is guaranteed a minimum of €28,000 for winning the Women’s Candidates tournament. In addition, he earned €2,200 for every half point scored during the event, increasing his prize total.
