Vaishali Rameshbabu made history by winning the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026 in Cyprus with 8.5/14 points, becoming the first Indian woman to do so and earning a World Championship match. Seen here arriving at the Airport on April 18, 2026
| Photo Credit: M. Srinath
Grandmaster R. Vaishali, who returned to Chennai on Sunday (April 19, 2026) after clinching the Candidates title, expressed joy, calling it a “dream moment” to be playing in a World Championship as she prepares for her maiden appearance.
“First of all, I’m very happy that I’ve won the Candidates. It’s a dream moment for me to be playing in a World Championship because, as a kid, I followed many World Championship matches, and now I’ll be playing one. I’m very excited and looking forward to it,” she said on her arrival at the Chennai airport from Cyprus.
Published – April 19, 2026 03:46 am IST