Chess Champions Collide: Anand Welcomes Grand Swiss Winner Vaishali After Historic Victory

Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand had a surprise encounter at the Chennai airport when he bumped into Indian Grandmaster R Vaishali, fresh from scripting history at the FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss. The 24-year-old returned home as the first Indian to successfully defend the prestigious title, adding another golden chapter to Indian chess. Anand later shared the moment with a lighthearted post on X (formerly Twitter), sparking admiration from fans who celebrated the crossing of paths between two generations of champions.

Vaishali’s triumph came after she held former women’s world champion Tan Zhongyi to a draw in the final round, which secured her sole lead in the tournament. The win not only cemented her back-to-back Grand Swiss crowns after her first in 2023 in the Isle of Man but also booked her seat for next year’s Candidates Tournament. India will now be represented by three women at the Candidates, with Vaishali joining Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh, marking a historic boost for the country’s growing presence in world chess.

"Only in Chennai. You randomly bump into a 2 time @FIDE_chess Grand Swiss winner at the airport... Welcome back @chessvaishali,"

The win was made even more memorable by Vaishali’s emotional gesture after the final round. She called her mother onto the stage and handed her the champion’s trophy, a moment that captured hearts on social media. Her journey to the title was built on consistency, with six wins, four draws, and just one loss across the event. That narrow edge in tie-breaks over Russian star Kateryna Lagno sealed the crown.

For Indian chess, Vaishali’s victory is a watershed moment. With her younger brother R Praggnanandhaa already a leading contender on the world stage, the siblings are set to feature together in the Candidates Tournament, chasing a shot at the world title. The achievement underlines the strength of India’s next generation, where women are stepping into the spotlight alongside their male counterparts.

While the women’s event saw Vaishali’s brilliance, the open section was dominated by Dutch GM Anish Giri, who stormed to victory with eight points from 11 rounds, finishing ahead of American Hans Niemann. Germany’s Matthias Bluebaum is set to join Giri in securing the Candidates spot from the Grand Swiss.