Vaishali convincingly clinches FIDE Women’s Candidates 2026 and creates history

By admin April 16, 2026 0 comments

R Vaishali defeated Kateryna Lagno in the final round to win FIDE Women’s Candidates 2026. She becomes the first Indian to win this event to qualify for a FIDE Women’s World Championship Match. Vaishali will face the reigning champion Wenjun Ju (CHN) for the World title, the ultimate pinnacle in chess.

Vaishali becomes the first Indian to win FIDE Women’s Candidates, will face Wenjun Ju in a FIDE Women’s World Championship match

Those who knew R Vaishali as R Praggnanandhaa’s elder sister, will no longer say that. Vaishali stepped out of his brother’s shadow as she created history of her own. On Wednesday 15th April, R Vaishali became the first Indian to win FIDE Women’s Candidates to qualify to the FIDE Women’s World Championship Match. She will face the reigning, 17th Women’s World Champion, Wenjun Ju (CHN). Wenjun became Women’s World Champion back in 2018.

FIDE Women’s Candidates 2026 champion – R Vaishali | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Vaishali – Kateryna: 1-0

R Vaishali (2470) won the first game against Kateryna Lagno (2508) at this event. The three-time former World Blitz Women’s champion, opted for the Sicilian Dragon with the black pieces. She decided to give up a pawn to launch an attack on Vaishali’s king on the queenside.

Position after 30…Rfa8

30…Rfa8 attack never had its teeth. Vaishali handled it very well 31.Rc5 h5 32.g4 hxg4 33.fxg4 Kh7 34.Rcd5 Qc6 35.Bb2 Ra2 36.g5 Qb6 37.Qh4+ Kg8 38.Qe4 R8a4 39.Rd8+ Kh7 40.c4! finding this was crucial as Praggnanandhaa mentioned in one of the interviews. White went on to win the game in the next few moves, create history by becoming the first Indian woman to FIDE Women’s Candidates and also qualify for FIDE Women’s World Championship in a match.

R Vaishali scored a crucial victory against Kateryna Lagno to become a clear champion | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Moments after Vaishali created history by becoming the first Indian to win a FIDE Women’s Candidates and qualify for a FIDE Women’s World Championship Match | Photos: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Press Conference with R Vaishali | Video: FIDE

“I’m very happy that today I managed to win” – R Vaishali in the studio | Video: FIDE

Anna Muzychuk (UKR) – Jiner Zhu (CHN): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Aleksandra Goryachkina – Zhongyi Tan (CHN): 1-0 | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Divya Deshmukh – Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) 0.5-0.5 | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

Marina Stylianides, Director, Cap St. Georges Hotel, made the ceremonial first move on R Vaishali and Kateryna Lagno’s board | Photo: FIDE / Michal Walusza

Replay Round 14 live stream

Replay Round 14 live commentary by GM Peter Svidler and GM Jan Gustafsson | Video: FIDE

Replay Round 14 games

Round 14 results

R Vaishali scored a crucial win to become a clear champion and create history | Graphic: FIDE

Final standings

R Vaishali clear first 8.5/14 | Graphic: FIDE

Schedule

FIDE Candidates Open and Women will take place from 29th March to 15th April. Tie-breaks, if needed, will be played on 16th April. Rest days are on 2nd, 6th, 10th and 13th April 2026.