Vaishali Wins FIDE Women’s Candidates 2026, Earns World Championship Shot

India’s Grandmaster Vaishali has won the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026 in Cyprus, securing a place in the Women’s World Chess Championship later this year.

The 24-year-old clinched the title after defeating Russia’s Kateryna Lagno in the final round and finishing with 8.5 points out of 14. With this landmark victory, Vaishali will now challenge reigning women’s world champion Ju Wenjun for the global crown.

In the Open section, Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Sindarov sealed victory with a round to spare, ending on 9.5 points and earning the right to face reigning world champion D Gukesh later this year in a highly anticipated title clash.