Indian PM Narendra Modi has warmly congratulated Vaishali Rameshbabu for her historic victory at the FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 women’s section, marking a remarkable milestone in Indian chess. Vaishali has become the first player in the tournament’s history to win the Grand Swiss title twice in a row, a feat that speaks volumes about her talent, determination, and grit.
FIDE Grand Swiss 2025
The 2025 Grand Swiss tournament was held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, where Vaishali Rameshbabu secured the title after a tense final round, drawing against former Women’s World Champion Tan Zhongyi. Scoring 8 points out of 11 games, Vaishali edged out some of the best global players, including Kateryna Lagno, on tiebreaks to claim the championship.
This victory not only earned her the top spot but also earned her a spot in the prestigious 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament. She became the third Indian woman to secure a spot in the Candidates’ next year after Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh.
PM Narendra Modi Congratulates Vaishali Rameshbabu
PM Narendra Modi expressed his admiration on social media, calling her accomplishment “outstanding” and praising her passion and dedication as exemplary. He wished her continued success in all her future endeavours, highlighting how her victory inspires young athletes across India. Sharing an official FIDE post celebrating her win, he wrote on X, “Outstanding accomplishment. Congrats to Vaishali Rameshbabu. Her passion and dedication are exemplary. Best wishes for her future endeavours.
Outstanding accomplishment. Congrats to Vaishali Rameshbabu. Her passion and dedication are exemplary. Best wishes for her future endeavours. @chessvaishali https://t.co/0AgnNjRV93
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 16, 2025
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This back-to-back Grand Swiss win by Vaishali Rameshbabu is a shining example of her hard work as she continues to create rich chess history for her country. The entire nation cheers her on as she continues to rise and make India proud with her extraordinary achievements. Looking forward, all eyes will be on her as she steps into the Candidates 2026 with hopes of every chess player, become the world champion.
Also read: R Vaishali Defends Her Grand Swiss Title, Earns Candidates 2026 Spot
