Bengaluru: In a stunning turnaround, Indian chess player Vaishali Rameshbabu has gone from being 'completely broken' to leading the Women's Candidates tournament by half a point.
Just last year, Vaishali was struggling, having lost seven games in a row and finishing at the bottom of the field in the Chennai Grand Masters. However, with the support of her family and friends, she decided to continue playing and went on to win the Grand Swiss tournament, qualifying for the Women's Candidates.
With four rounds remaining, Vaishali is the sole leader in the Women's Candidates, and her play has been both brave and resourceful. Her coach and mentor, RB Ramesh, attributes her success to her ability to manage her emotions and stay calm under pressure.
Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand praises Vaishali's development into a complete player, saying she has improved in all aspects of the game, including the psychological. Anand notes that Vaishali's special skill is her resilience, which has proved effective in turning around difficult positions.
With her sights set on the Women's World Championship, Vaishali is currently the favourite to win the Women's Candidates, with Zhu Jiner and Anna Muzychuk half a point behind. As she continues to play with confidence and determination, Vaishali's fans are eagerly awaiting her next move.
