SportsFriday, 17 April 2026·https://testbook.com/current-affairs/17-april-2026-daily-current-affairs
R. Vaishali wins FIDE Women’s Candidates 2026 in Cyprus to become world title challenger
R. Vaishali won the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026 in Cyprus on 16 April 2026 with 8.5 points and earned a World Championship challenge.
Key highlights
Direct fact
On 16 April 2026 in Cyprus, Indian Grandmaster R. Vaishali won the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament with 8.5 points out of 14 and became the challenger to China’s Ju Wenjun for the Women’s World Chess Championship.
Key specifics
- Vaishali defeated Russia’s Kateryna Lagno in the final round to secure the title.
- She is 24 years old and became the official challenger for the Women’s World Championship.
- FIDE is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, and was established on 20 July 1924 in Paris, France.
- Vaishali is the third female Grandmaster from India after Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli.
- She and R. Praggnanandhaa are the world’s first brother-sister Grandmaster duo.
Exam lens
Sports and awards-style question, Cyprus, 8.5 points, Ju Wenjun, FIDE, Lausanne — TNPSC may ask the title winner, score, opponent and FIDE headquarters.