Isle of Man
Indian chess player R Vaishali delivered a brilliant performance in the FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss, which is part of the World Championship cycle. She secured a win over former world champion Mariya Muzychuk from Ukraine in the fourth round, moving her total points to 3.5. Vaishali, the sister of the well-known R Praggnanandhaa, recently achieved her third and final Grandmaster norm at the Qatar Masters, demonstrating her readiness for bigger challenges. In the match against Muzychuk, Vaishali showcased her exceptional attacking skills. Vaishali employed the Sicilian defense, while Muzychuk responded with the Rossolimo Sicilian. Vaishali’s opening ideas caught Muzychuk off guard, leading to a complicated position. However, Vaishali’s remarkable calculation skills came to the forefront. She outplayed Muzychuk, gaining a material advantage and forcing a checkmate in just 23 moves. In the open section, Grandmaster Arjun Erigaisi appeared to be in control but was held to a draw by Alexandr Predke of Serbia. Arjun had a winning position but Predke found a tactical resource, leading to a perpetual check and a draw. Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi continued his winning streak, securing his third consecutive victory by defeating former world championship challenger Alexey Shirov of Spain. Vidit demonstrated strong technique in a Slav defense game, winning two Bishops for a rook, leaving Shirov with no chance to recover. Vaishali’s impressive performance is a testament to the rising talent in Indian chess, and she continues to make her mark in the international chess arena.
