In a remarkable feat at the IV El Llobregat Open in Spain, 22-year-old Vaishali Rameshbabu crossed the 2500 rating points threshold, securing the prestigious Grandmaster title on Friday. This accomplishment places her as only the third female grandmaster from India, following in the footsteps of Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli.
Vaishali's journey to this milestone began with a victory over Turkish FM Tamer Tarik Selbes (2238) in the second round, propelling her FIDE rating beyond 2500. Her strong start to the tournament with two consecutive wins highlighted her exceptional skill and determination.
Expressing her joy, Vaishali shared with Chess.com, "I am very happy to finally complete the title. It’s just two rounds. I am also focusing on the tournament. But I am really happy with the GM title." Despite acknowledging some pressure, she reflected on the excitement of achieving a goal she had pursued since she started playing chess.
The chess prodigy's development in the game is closely tied to her brother Praggnanandhaa, with the duo consistently achieving parallel success. Notable accomplishments include matching medals in the Olympiad and Asian Games, showcasing their formidable prowess on the international stage.
Introduced to chess by her father, Rameshbabu, an avid chess player himself, Vaishali began her training at the early age of five. Recognizing her potential, her father enrolled her in chess coaching, leading to numerous victories in state and national-level tournaments in her age category.
A pivotal moment in Vaishali and Praggnanandhaa's chess journey was their training under Grandmaster RB Ramesh at Chennai’s Bloom Chess Academy. Although they had learned the basics at the academy, Grandmaster Ramesh played a crucial role in refining their skills and guiding them through the complexities of the chessboard.
Reflecting on their early days, Ramesh stated, “Both of them were already practicing six to eight hours a day back when I started working with them. They were very hardworking, not to mention ambitious." He noted Vaishali's initial advantage but highlighted Praggnanandhaa's rapid growth over the years.
Vaishali's breakthrough on the international chess scene occurred in 2015 when she secured victory at the Asian Youth Chess Championships in the under-14 girls’ category. During this period, she also earned the title of International Master (IM).
While it took several years for Vaishali to progress from an International Master to securing her third GM norm, her achievement echoes the remarkable trajectory of her brother. As she adds her name to the annals of chess history, Vaishali Rameshbabu continues to inspire with her dedication and prowess on the 64 squares.
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