Published: 17 September 2025Chess.comSports
Vaishali Rameshbabu Makes History, Defends FIDE Women's Grand Swiss Chess Title
Indian Grandmaster Vaishali Rameshbabu won the FIDE Women's Grand Swiss 2025 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, scoring 8/11 and edging Kateryna Lagno on tiebreaks. The 24-year-old became the first player ever — male or female — to win the Grand Swiss title twice (2023 and 2025), securing $40,000 and qualification for the 2026 Women's Candidates Tournament.
With Vaishali qualifying, India had a strong presence in the 2026 Women's Candidates cycle; however, Humpy Koneru later withdrew from the tournament and Anna Muzychuk replaced her. Her victory cements India's growing dominance in global chess and makes her a strong contender for the world title.
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Linked questionMedium
Vaishali Rameshbabu created history by winning the FIDE Women's Grand Swiss title for which consecutive time?
Explanation · Correct answer CVaishali became the first player ever to win the Grand Swiss title twice (2023 and 2025), scoring 8/11.
Frequently asked questions
What historic achievement did Vaishali Rameshbabu accomplish at FIDE Women's Grand Swiss 2025?
Vaishali Rameshbabu won the FIDE Women's Grand Swiss 2025 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, scoring 8/11 and edging Kateryna Lagno on tiebreaks, becoming the first player ever — male or female — to win the Grand Swiss title twice (2023 and 2025).
What is the FIDE Women's Grand Swiss chess tournament?
The FIDE Women's Grand Swiss is a prestigious international Swiss-system chess tournament organised by FIDE, with title winners earning qualification to the Women's Candidates Tournament.
Who is Vaishali Rameshbabu and what is her relation to R. Praggnanandhaa?
Vaishali Rameshbabu is an Indian chess Grandmaster and the sister of prodigy R. Praggnanandhaa. She secured $40,000 and qualification for the 2026 Women's Candidates Tournament.
How does Vaishali Rameshbabu's title defence strengthen India's chess legacy?
Vaishali's title defence strengthened India's chess profile by adding another Candidates qualification from the Grand Swiss pathway. Note that Humpy Koneru later withdrew from the 2026 Women's Candidates and Anna Muzychuk replaced her, so the field no longer had three Indian women.
When and where was the FIDE Women's Grand Swiss 2025 held?
The FIDE Women's Grand Swiss 2025 was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where Vaishali Rameshbabu won with 8/11, successfully defending her title.
