R Vaishali has stepped out of the shadow of her younger brother, R Praggnanandhaa, with a landmark achievement of her own. On April 15, 2026, she defeated Kateryna Lagno in the final round to win the FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament in Cyprus, earning a shot at the World Championship against reigning champion Ju Wenjun.

Entering the tournament as the lowest-rated participant, Vaishali delivered a remarkable performance in the 14-round double round-robin format, finishing with 8 points. She edged past Bibisara Assaubayeva by half a point to clinch the title. With this victory, she becomes only the second Indian woman after Koneru Humpy to qualify for a Women’s World Chess Championship match.

Her journey in Cyprus was not without setbacks, including two mid-tournament losses to Zhu Jiner. However, Vaishali showed resilience and composure, bouncing back strongly to secure victory in a tense final round.

Throughout the tournament, she received constant support from Praggnanandhaa, who was competing in the Open category. Despite missing out on a top finish, he played a key role in her campaign, offering technical insights—including advice on a crucial pawn move in the final game. The strong sibling bond was evident as Praggnanandhaa and their mother, Nagalakshmi, celebrated her victory in an emotional moment.

Vaishali’s triumph marks a defining milestone in her career, firmly establishing her among the world’s elite chess players and signaling India’s growing dominance in global chess.