(September 10, 2025) When R Vaishali sat across the board from Belarusian Grandmaster Olga Badelka at the ongoing FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 at Samarkand in Uzbekistan, she had little more than a minute on her clock. For most players, that kind of pressure would be paralyzing. But for Vaishali, India’s third female Grandmaster, the moment demanded courage. With composure and audacity, she played fearlessly, and outplayed Badelka to claim the top spot.
In a 56-player Women’s field that’s part of the 172-player Grand Swiss 2025, R. Vaishali holds joint lead, which is an extraordinary feat. Her composed draw against Russia’s Dinara Wagner keeps her firmly in contention for a Candidates spot. With seven rounds still to go, Vaishali’s campaign is emerging as one of the tournament’s defining stories.
Born in Chennai in 2001, Vaishali has carved her path in a sport where India has traditionally celebrated its male champions, from Viswanathan Anand to her own younger brother, R Praggnanandhaa. Yet, with every victory, the Arjuna awardee has proven that she belongs in the elite circles of the chess world.
R Vaishali with PM Modi
The first brother-sister grandmaster duo
Chess runs deep in the Rameshbabu household. Their father, Rameshbabu, works as a branch manager at a bank, while their mother, Nagalakshmi, dedicated her life to supporting her children’s ambitions. It was in this nurturing environment that Vaishali first picked up the pieces, only to see her younger brother follow, and eventually, both would go on to make history as the first-ever brother-sister duo to achieve the title of Grandmaster.
While comparisons were inevitable, Vaishali and Praggnanandhaa have built their relationship on a foundation of mutual respect and support. “In general, we are very competitive,” Vaishali shared in an interview, her words tinged with both affection and honesty. “Pragg helps me a lot with preparation. He has been my inspiration in recent years. I also try to help as much as I can. He’s not just a great chess partner but also a wonderful brother who supports me in life beyond the game,” she smiled.
Praggnanandhaa himself has acknowledged her influence, crediting Vaishali as a vital force in his career. Together, they represent a new generation of Indian chess which is global, fearless, and unafraid of setting impossible goals.
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Early sparks of brilliance
Vaishali’s rise has been anything but ordinary. As a child, she displayed a natural talent for calculation and tactical play. That gift translated into success at an early age when she won the Girls’ World Youth Chess Championships in the Under-12 and Under-14 categories. Then came the moment that would make international headlines: in 2013, at the age of twelve, she defeated reigning World Champion Magnus Carlsen in a simultaneous exhibition in Chennai. The victory was symbolic, but it hinted at the promise of what was to come.
By 2018, she had become a Woman Grandmaster. Two years later, she was part of India’s gold-medal-winning team at the Online Olympiad 2020. It was the country’s first-ever medal at the event. The years that followed saw her notch up steady progress: the International Master title in 2021, consistent performances in international tournaments, and finally, the fulfillment of her Grandmaster norms in 2023. In December of that year, she officially became India’s third female Grandmaster, joining Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli in an exclusive club of trailblazing women.
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A blitzing bronze and the Arjuna award
If 2023 was the year of becoming a Grandmaster, then 2024 proved to be the year of consolidation and recognition. Vaishali’s tactical flair came alive at the Women’s World Blitz Championship, where she clinched a bronze medal, standing on the podium against the fastest minds in the world. The performance was not just about medals; it was a statement of her ability to thrive under the highest pressure.
Later that year, her contributions to Indian chess were formally recognized when she received the Arjuna Award, one of India’s highest sporting honors. For a girl from Chennai who once solved puzzles for fun, the moment was validation of years of relentless hard work, of sacrifices made by her family, and of a dream that had grown larger with every passing tournament.
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The art of tactics and training
Observers of Vaishali’s games often highlight her tactical ability, the way she conjures up dazzling combinations out of seemingly ordinary positions. For her, this strength is no accident but the product of a lifelong love for problem-solving. “I just love solving positions. Since childhood it has been my routine,” she explains. “That’s how my tactical ability has developed over time.”
Her training routine is rigorous but balanced, mixing classical preparation with modern tools. She studies games, works through tactical puzzles, and sparring with her brother is often part of the process. Yet, what sets her apart is her mental resilience. Before matches, she practices meditation to remain calm. During games, she has learned to slow down in tense situations, to draw strength from perspective. “Every time I feel stress, I pause for a moment, remind myself of how far I’ve come, and then start afresh,” she reflects. It is this poise that allows her to shine even when the clock is ticking down to seconds.
Dreams beyond the grandmaster title
For Vaishali, achieving the Grandmaster title was not the final destination but a stepping stone toward larger goals. “I want to become the Women’s World Champion and cross the 2600 rating mark,” she remarked. These are not idle dreams. With her consistent upward trajectory, and now the momentum of her Grand Swiss performance, both goals are well within her reach.
Her approach to life is grounded in a philosophy of enjoyment and acceptance. “Enjoy whatever you do, do your job well, and accept whatever comes with it,” she says when asked about the best advice she has ever received. In a sport as unforgiving as chess, where even one slip can undo hours of preparation, this mindset is perhaps her greatest asset.
R Vaishali at the World Cup 2023 tournament
Carrying forward India’s chess legacy
India has long been associated with chess, the game believed to have originated on its soil. In the modern era, Viswanathan Anand paved the way by becoming World Champion and inspiring an entire generation. Today, India boasts a galaxy of young stars: Gukesh D, Arjun Erigaisi, Nihal Sarin, Praggnanandhaa, Koneru Humpy, Harika Dronavall and Vaishali amongst others.
By becoming a Grandmaster, winning medals on the world stage, and breaking into the Candidates cycle, Vaishali is reshaping the narrative for women in Indian chess. Her victories are not just her own; they are symbolic of greater representation of young girls in Chennai and beyond daring to dream of competing at the highest levels.
Geared up for the next phase of her career
As she stands at the cusp of the next phase of her career, the road ahead is filled with promise. If she is able to claim the FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 victory, the Candidates Tournament in 2026 will be her chance to test herself against the world’s best, and perhaps, to set up a clash for the ultimate crown in women’s chess. Beyond ratings and titles, Vaishali represents the future of Indian chess which is brimming with possibilities.
Her story is a reminder of how far Indian chess has come, and how much further it can go. From a young girl who once stunned Magnus Carlsen in Chennai to a poised Grandmaster defeating world-class opponents in Samarkand, Vaishali has been walking a remarkable path. Her journey is captured in her own words about dealing with pressure: “Every time when you feel stress, it’s a time to pause and look back at how far you’ve come.” For Vaishali Rameshbabu, that distance is already extraordinary, and the road ahead looks even brighter.
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