Russia's Anish Giri and India's Vaishali Rameshbabu with their trophies.
Samarkand: In the bustling EXPO Centre of Samarkand, Vaishali Rameshbabu of India stood tall as she claimed the FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss 2025 title with an impressive 8/11 score. She tied with Kateryna Lagno but clinched the top spot on tiebreak, becoming the first player ever—male or female—to win the Grand Swiss two years in a row.
The 12-day tournament was a high-stakes battle, with two spots in the 2026 Candidates Tournament and a $230,000 prize fund on the line.
Vaishali’s victory, a blend of grit and brilliance, lit up the chess world, earning her praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi: “Her passion and dedication are exemplary. Best wishes for her future endeavours.”
In a nod to India’s chess strength, Anish Giri of Russia, with Indian roots through his paternal grandmother’s Indo-Nepalese heritage, won the Open section, but Vaishali’s triumph was the day’s shining story.
The final round kicked off at 2 PM, an hour earlier than usual, to make room for the 9 PM closing ceremony. The air in the EXPO Centre was thick with tension as players, all business, skipped fan photos and focused on their boards. Vaishali, tied with Lagno at 7/10, faced a tough challenge from former Women’s World Champion Tan Zhongyi, who was already set for the Candidates through the Grand Prix.
Playing Black in an English Opening, Vaishali stayed calm under pressure, countering Tan’s sharp moves with a clever pawn sacrifice—21…c3! 22.bc3 Nb5!—to even the game. Her smart 26…Ra8! led to a balanced endgame, and by move 43, they shook hands, locking in Vaishali’s 8/11 and the title thanks to her better tiebreak. Her win felt like a perfectly timed checkmate, a moment of pure focus and heart.
Other games added to the drama. Lagno secured her candidate’s spot with a quick 30-move draw against Ulviyya Fataliyeva in a Queen’s Gambit Declined, nailing a threefold repetition. Bibisara Assaubayeva had a shot to tie for first but slipped against Anna Muzychuk, choosing 47.Rxc2 instead of Bb3 or Bb5, which cost her the win. Muzychuk held a draw, leaving Assaubayeva at 7.5/11 with Tan Zhongyi and Song Yuxin, just a half-point behind Vaishali and Lagno. Every board was a story of its own, but Vaishali’s steady hand and sharp mind made her the star.
The closing ceremony at the Silk Road by Minyoun Hotel was a joyful wrap-up, with FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich calling it “a truly magnificent event.” Vaishali’s victory was more than a title—it was a proud moment for Indian chess, her path to the Candidates a bold step toward even bigger dreams. In Samarkand, where every move carried weight, Vaishali proved she’s a force to watch, her legacy growing with each game.
– global bihari bureau
