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Journalism of Courage
India’s Vaishali Rameshbabu sealed qualification for the prestigious Women’s FIDE Candidates event on Saturday after defeating former Women’s World Champion Tan Zhongyi at the FIDE Grand Swiss event at Isle of Man.
The Women’s FIDE Candidates is an event to find a challenger to the women’s world champion. The event will be held in Toronto next near, where the open Candidates tournament will also be held. Vaishali’s brother Praggnanandhaa R has already qualified for the Candidates by virtue of finishing second at the FIDE World Cup held earlier this year.
Vaishali is within touching distance of gathering 2500 ELO rating points, which will secure her position as a grandmaster. She has already attained all three norms needed. In fact, on Sunday, if Vaishali defeats Batkhuyag Munguntuul, she will become a grandmaster.
“The Grandmaster title has been a big dream for me since my childhood, and I am getting closer to it. It’s very hard (to keep calm). These are two of the biggest goals of my chess career. I’m trying not to think about it but, of course, it keeps coming into my head, but I am trying my best to focus on my game,” Vaishali told FIDE’s YouTube channel after her win on Saturday.
“Being a grandmaster has always been on my mind throughout these years. I’m finally getting closer. I want to play more exciting games like I have played here,” she added.
Incidentally, both Pragg and Vaishali are now World No 14 in their respective categories in the live rankings.
On being asked which of her wins at Isle of Man she enjoyed most, Vaishali said: “Really enjoyed all my games here. Hard to say which one is the best… maybe the 4th round game against Ukrainian chess grandmaster Mariya Muzychuk with black pieces. That game was very comfortable throughout.”
Elsewhere, in the open section, India’s Vidit Gujarathi is in a three-way tie at the top of the standings. Keeping the Indian company at the top with 7.5 points each are Andrey Esipenko and Hikaru Nakamura.
Vidit won six of his 10 games and lost one. His compatriot Arjun Erigaisi is in fifth spot with one match to go, with seven points.
