New Delhi Grandmaster R Vaishali felt devastated after suffering seven consecutive losses in the Chennai Grandmasters, leading her to consider withdrawing from the Grand Swiss tournament. However, encouragement from her family motivated her to participate, resulting in her winning the title and qualifying for the Candidates next year. Vaishali became the third Indian to reach the Candidates, following Divya Deshmukh and Koneru Humpy. She credited her family, particularly her younger brother R Praggnanandhaa, as a source of strength during challenging times. “The tournament in Chennai was one of the hardest of my life. I’ve experienced tough tournaments before, but this one was overwhelming,” Vaishali shared in an interview with FIDE (International Chess Federation).
“I was completely shattered and told my parents I wouldn’t compete in the Grand Swiss in Samarkand. I nearly quit, but thanks to the support around me, I decided to play, and it changed my mindset.” The 24-year-old expressed that although she had been striving hard all year, things had not been going well until she claimed the Grand Swiss title. “I worked diligently this year, but results eluded me until this tournament, which was crucial for my future,” she stated. Vaishali noted that qualifying for last year’s Candidates in Toronto taught her the true meaning of hard work, prompting her to dedicate additional effort to improve her game. “Last year’s Candidates helped me grasp the significance of hard work.
Previously, I had a different understanding of it. Through last year’s preparations, I realized the effort it requires to succeed. I devoted everything to the Candidates, and since then, I have been investing many hours into my game.” Despite her struggles translating into poor results, she believed that one successful tournament could alter her trajectory. “Although results weren’t favorable, everything aligned in just one tournament at the Grand Swiss, which is very significant, and I’m pleased with it.”