R Vaishali Secures WR Women’s Chess Tour Title In Tokyo After Strong Final Run

Indian chess continued its remarkable global rise as R. Vaishali clinched the title at the first event of the WR Women’s Chess Tour in Tokyo, marking another major international triumph for the country. Her victory came on the same weekend her brother, Grandmaster R. Praggnanandhaa, made history by becoming the first Indian to win the prestigious Norway Chess title, highlighting a landmark moment for Indian chess on the world stage.

The Tokyo event was an elite eight-player rapid tournament featuring a 15-minute time control with a 10-second increment per move. Vaishali delivered a strong and composed performance throughout the competition, finishing ahead of several top international players, including former Women’s World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk and Kateryna Lagno. Other notable participants included Antoaneta Stefanova, Anna Sargsyan, Irine Sukandar, Alua Nurman and Azumi Sakai.

Vaishali, 24, from Chennai, showcased consistency and tactical strength in the knockout stages of the event. She secured her place in the final with a convincing 1.5–0.5 victory over Kosteniuk in the semifinals, demonstrating her ability to outperform elite opposition. Her campaign in the quarterfinals was equally commanding, where she defeated Irine Sukandar with a win and a draw to advance comfortably.

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In the final, Vaishali faced Alua Nurman of Kazakhstan and maintained her momentum, winning the two-game match 1.5–0.5 to secure the title. Her performance was marked by calm decision-making and precise endgame play, reflecting her growing stature in international rapid chess. The victory also adds to her rising reputation as one of India’s leading women chess players on the global circuit.

Vaishali’s success in Tokyo follows a strong run of performances in recent international tournaments, and she will now look to extend her form into the blitz event scheduled to follow. The WR Women’s Chess Tour event continues to feature a competitive field, offering valuable ranking points and exposure to top-tier opposition from across the world.

The celebrations in Indian chess were further amplified by Praggnanandhaa’s landmark win at the Norway Chess Championship, where he defeated Germany’s Vincent Keymer in the final round to secure the classical title. The 20-year-old’s triumph, which included a series of high-pressure games and Armageddon victories, earned him the top prize and cemented his position among the world’s elite players, making it a historic weekend for Indian chess.

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