This win marks Vaishali’s second Grand Swiss title, having previously won the 2023 edition at the same venue, with six wins, one loss, and four draws. She now joins Divya Deshmukh and Koneru Humpy, who had already qualified for the Candidates through their top finishes in the Women’s World Cup
Vaishali Rameshbabu (Photo: X/Vaishali Chess)
Indian Grandmaster R Vaishali etched her name in the history books once again by winning the FIDE Women's Grand Swiss 2025 for the second consecutive edition. With a hard-fought draw against former world champion Zhongyi Tan of China in the 11th and final round on Monday, Vaishali sealed her spot in the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament, the gateway to a shot at the World Championship title.
Sharing the top spot with Kateryna Lagno of Russia, both scoring 8 points out of a possible 11, Vaishali was declared the tournament winner thanks to a superior tie-break score, having faced higher-rated opponents across the event. Lagno, who settled for a quick draw against Ulviyya Fataliyeva of Azerbaijan, also secured her berth in the Candidates as one of the top two finishers.
This win marks Vaishali’s second Grand Swiss title, having previously won the 2023 edition at the same venue, with six wins, one loss, and four draws. She now joins Divya Deshmukh and Koneru Humpy, who had already qualified for the Candidates through their top finishes in the Women’s World Cup.
In the open section, Dutch Grandmaster Anish Giri emerged as the champion after defeating Hans Moke Niemann of the United States in a clinical display. Giri finished with 8 points, and Germany’s Matthias Bluebaum, who drew with Alireza Firouzja, is expected to finish second and also book his place in the 2026 Candidates Tournament.
Among the Indian men, only R Praggnanandhaa is assured a spot in the Candidates based on his consistent performances in the FIDE Circuit. Meanwhile, D Gukesh, the reigning world champion, awaits the challenger from the Candidates event.
Three spots in the Candidates are still up for grabs and will be filled through the upcoming FIDE World Cup, to be held in Goa next month.
Important and Indians results final round (Indians unless specified): Matthias Bluebaum (Ger, 7.5) drew with Alireza Firouzja (Fra, 7.5); Anish Giri (Ned, 8) beat Hans Moke Niemann (Usa, 7); Arjun Erigaisi (7) Vincent Keymer (Ger, 7); Abdusattorov Nodirbek (Uzb, 7) Awonder Liang (Usa, 7); Maxime Vachier-Lagrave (Fra, 7) drew with Nihal Sarin (7); Andy Woodward (Usa, 7) drew with Yu Yangyi (Chn, 7); Vidit Gujrathi (7) drew with Abhimanyu Mishra (Usa, 7); Theodorou Nikolas (Gre, 6) drew with R Praggnanandhaa (6); Maxim Rodshtein (Isr, 5.5) lost to P Harikrishna (6.5); Parham Maghsoodloo (Iri, 5.5) Aditya Mittal (5.5); Raunak Sadhwani (6) drew with Aram Hakobyan (Arm, 6); V Pranav (6.5) beat Lu Shanglei (Chn, 5.5); S L Narayanan (6) drew with Yagiz Kaan Erdogmus (Tur, 6); Andrei Volokitin (Ukr, 5) lost to D Gukesh (6); Leon Luke Mendonca (5) Alexander Grischuk (Fid, 5); Ihor Samunenkov (6) beat Abhimanyu Puranik (5); Alexander Donchenko (Ger, 4.5) Murali Karthikeyan (4.5); Aryan Chopra (5.5) beat Jonas Buhl Bjerre (Den, 4.5); Divya Deshmukh (4.5) Ivan Cheparinov (Bul, 4.5).
Women: Zhongyi Tan (Chn, 7.5) drew with R Vaishali (8); Kateryna Lagno (8) drew with Ulviyya Fataliyeva (Aze, 7); Irina Krush (Usa, 7) drew with Yuxin Song (Chn, 7.5); Bibisara Assaubayeva (Kaz, 7.5) drew with Anna Muzychuk (6.5); Mariya Muzychuk (Ukr, 7) beat Elina Danielian (Arm, 6); Alexandra Kosteniuk (Sui, 6.5) drew with Guo Qi (Chn, 6.5); Tsolakidou Stavroula (Gre, 6.5) beat Polina Shuvalova (Fid, 5.5); Antoaneta Stefanova (Bul, 5.5) lost to Mai Narva (Est, 6.5); Irina Bulmaga (5) drew with Vantika Agrawal (5); Carissa Yip (Usa, 6) lost to D Harika (6.5)
(With PTI inputs)
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