Overview
- Vaishali clinched the Women’s Candidates on Wednesday by defeating Kateryna Lagno to reach 8.5/14, earning a World Championship match against five-time titleholder Ju Wenjun.
- Uzbek grandmaster Javokhir Sindarov dominated the Open Candidates unbeaten with 10/14 and will challenge reigning world champion Dommaraju Gukesh in late 2026.
- FIDE says it will open bids in May to pick hosts, targeting November–December 2026 for the open match and provisionally spring 2027 for the women’s match, while also weighing a combined double-header.
- The 24-year-old Vaishali entered as the lowest-rated player after qualifying via the 2025 Grand Swiss and credits a focus on mental training plus support from coach RB Ramesh and second Pranesh M.
- The results underscore Asia’s ascent in elite chess, with India set for two title matches and Vaishali becoming only the second Indian woman to qualify for a Women’s World Championship match.