Viswanathan Anand hails Vaishali’s resilience after she scripts history at Women’s Candidates: ‘Another flex for Chennai’

Indian chess legend Viswanathan Anand praised R Vaishali's "preparation and resilience" as the 24-year-old became the first from the country to win the Women's Candidates chess tournament. The elder sister of Indian chess star R Praggnanandhaa, Vaishali, entered the Fide Women's Candidates 2026 tournament in Cyprus as the lowest-rated player in the field with a 2470 rating, but emerged as the winner with an impressive 8.5/14 points.

Vaishali, who had qualified for the tournament by winning the Fide Women's Grand Swiss 2025 tournament, defeated Russian Grandmaster Kateryna Lagno in the final game on demand to clinch a historic victory.

Five-time chess world champion Viswanathan Anand, who knows a thing or two about making history and also hails from Chennai, the same city as Vaishali, praised the youngster on social media, pointing out that both men's and women's World Chess Championship matches will have an Indian.

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Viswanathan Anand hails Vaishali on X

Anand also underlined that both Vaishali and he, hailing from Chennai is "another flex."

"Congratulations @chessvaishali," Anand wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "She showed excellent preparation and resilience. Took the blows & delivered the punches. A proud moment for Indian chess with two Indians to cheer for in the World Championships. Personally proud that our @WacaChess mentee will now have a shot at the world title. Being from Chennai is just another flex!"

The men's World Chess Championship match will be played between D Gukesh, the reigning world champion from Chennai, and Javokhir Sindraov, who won the Fide Candidates 2026.

Also Read | R Vaishali reflects on family support, reveals turning point after historic Candidates win

Meanwhile, Vaishali's victory was also celebrated by popular cricket fan pages on X.

"From the Streets of Chennai to the podium of Cyprus, Vaishali has conquered it all. Big congratulations, Queen. This is what a dream come true looks like," a fan handle wrote on X.

Another said: "This is what greatness looks like and she’s just 24, bringing glory to the nation! Huge congratulations, Vaishali. This is just the beginning, alot more to come!"

Viashali will take on reigning world champion Ju Wenjun of China in the women's World Chess Championship match later this year.