Indian Grandmaster Rameshbabu Vaishali won the FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament 2026 in Nicosia, Cyprus, scoring 8.5/14. By defeating Kateryna Lagno in the final round, the 24-year-old became the first Indian woman to win the tournament. She will now challenge Ju Wenjun for the World Chess Championship title.  In the final round Thriller: Vaishali, who was the lowest-rated player in the field, finished top, with 8.5 points. The Comeback Queen: Despite losing a crucial game in round 12 to Zhu Jiner, she secured 5 wins, 7 draws, and 2 losses, showcasing immense resilience. Now she will face reigning champion Ju Wenjun of China later in 2026 for the Women's World Chess Championship match.