The 22-year-old from Chennai was enrolled into a chess academy by her parents at six to divert her attention from television.
Published Dec 03, 2023 | 9:28 AM ⚊ Updated Dec 03, 2023 | 9:28 AM
R Vaishali is only the 42nd woman to be a GM in the world since Nona Gaprindashvili of Georgia achieved the feat 45 years ago, in 1978. (Vaishali/X)
At last, the “turning point” has arrived in Rameshbabu Vaishali’s life. She has entered history books by becoming only the third Indian woman — after Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli — to achieve the remarkable title of Grandmaster (GM) in the country.
And only the 42nd woman to be a GM in the world since Nona Gaprindashvili of Georgia achieved the feat 45 years ago, in 1978.
The 22-year-old R Vaishali from Chennai was enrolled into a chess academy by her parents — Rameshbabu and Nagalakshmi — around the age of six to divert her attention from television, as most Indian parents do.
“She used to watch a lot of TV, especially cartoons, so we wanted to distract her. We enrolled her into the chess academy because it was near our house. Then she started playing regularly and achieved good results,” her father Rameshbabu tells South First.
A deputy general manager in the Tamil Nadu State Cooperative (TNSC) Bank, he laughs right after recollecting this memory of Vaishali. “I was very sure she would definitely become a GM one day.”
Right after she defeated Turkey’s Fide Master (FM) Tamer Tarik Selbes in the second round, Vaishali surpassed 2500 ELO rating points on Friday, 1 December, at the IV El Llobregat Open in Spain.
Right then, she achieved her “long-time goal” of becoming a GM.
But this a cherry on the cake moment as well.
Vaishali after winning the 2023 FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss (Isle of Man). (Vaishali/X)
Along with her younger sibling R Praggnanandhaa, who does not need any introduction, the duo are the world’s first-ever brother-sister to earn the GM title and second as siblings. In 2023, Visakh and Vignesh NR from Tamil Nadu became India’s first Grandmaster siblings.
Meanwhile, father Rameshbabu expressed gratitude towards Vaishali’s first coach Thyagarajan at the Bloom Chess Academy in Chennai — as well as present coach RB Ramesh.
In a conversation with the South First, current coach RB Ramesh underlines the significance of the GM title, and how a “hard working, disciplined and self-believing” Vaishali has grown as a player.
Q. How important was achieving the GM title for Vaishali?
A. It’s important for everyone. Every chess players dreams of being a GM. She has been in the shadows of her brother for some time, now she has made a mark for herself. Being a woman and becoming a GM is not very easy, only a few have managed to do it so far. So, to get into that club itself is a huge achievement.
Pragg was doing very well for a long time and was getting all the deserved attention. She was also not able to give great performances, so definitely the attention was not on her. I believe, every professional had to do deal with these things.
Q. Did you see the GM title coming for Vaishali sooner or later? What do you see as the turning point?
A. She was playing very well in the past few months and it was clear that she was getting very close to it. I am very happy she could do it in this tournament itself.
I am very excited that both of them will be playing together at the Candidates tournament.
Q. How has Vaishali grown as a player and how is her playing style different from Pragg?
A. Vaishali and Pragg have different strengths. Both are very hardworking, talented, and so on. Pragg is more confident in himself while Vaishali, at times, is not that confident, which can affect her negatively. So, that is one area she has to keep under check as things always do not go your way. When those things happen, we have to handle them calmy. Now that she has had many good results, her confidence would be very good.
She also knows she is capable of greater achievements, so I think that should help her handle disappointment with more confidence in the future.
Earlier, she used to be more focused on results than enjoying the game. But as long as you worry about the results part, you won’t enjoy the game. So, now she has achieved great results. She is enjoying the game and playing well.
Q. How does it feel to be the coach of two siblings who have made history by being the first brother and sister to become GMs0?
A. I am really proud and happy that both are doing well. Especially, Vaishali qualifying for the Candidates tournament, winning the FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss (Isle of Man), and completing the Grandmaster title, all happening in the last two to three months. As a coach, I wish she continues doing that.
Q. What should be the focus now that she has achieved GM title? What more is there to achieve?
A. She is going to play in the Candidates. And she should try to win the tournament if possible. She has already won at the FIDE Grand Swiss (to be held in Toronto, Canada in 2024), so she can do it again. If she does that, she will qualify for the World Championship title match. She should give a genuine shot at it.
