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In an exclusive interview with media, Vaishali opens up about her “luck” in Cyprus, her mental health journey following a difficult 2025, and how her younger brother, Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa, remains her emotional anchor despite his own tough run in the open category.
The Road to the World Championship
Vaishali entered the tournament as the lowest seed, burdened by a lean patch in 2025. However, a combination of tactical resourcefulness and a newfound mental resilience propelled her to the top.
On the Final Round: “It was tough to control my emotions in the last hour against Kateryna Lagno. I was totally winning, but we’ve seen so many turnarounds. When we finally shook hands, I was super happy but had to keep a poker face out of respect for her.”
On Luck and Strategy: Vaishali admitted her win against former world champion Tan Zhongyi felt like a turning point. “I was embarrassed because I played poorly until her blunder. I realized then that if luck was on my side, I had to make the most of it.”
The Support System: Pranesh M and Praggnanandhaa
Vaishali’s victory was a team effort, bolstered by a unique “support staff” that kept her relaxed.
| Support Member | Role | Impact |
| GM Pranesh M (19) | Second / Companion | Acted as the “carefree foil” to her overthinking. Played blitz and cracked jokes to keep her stress levels low. |
| Praggnanandhaa | Brother / Mentor | Helped with opening preparation and emotional support. Vaishali noted, “He’s my go-to person… he helped me through the openings even while his own tournament was tough.” |
The Mental Shift
After a challenging 2025, Vaishali credited her turnaround to a holistic approach:
Professional Help: Working with a sports psychologist to manage performance anxiety.
Routine: Incorporating yoga and meditation into her daily schedule.
Resilience: Transitioning from the “excited GM-title winner” of the last Candidates to a “resilient fighter” who knows how to find tricks in losing positions.
What’s Next: Facing Ju Wenjun
The upcoming Women’s World Championship Match (dates to be finalized for late 2026) will see Vaishali take on the legendary five-time champion Ju Wenjun.
The Challenge: Vaishali currently has three draws and one loss against Ju in classical chess.
The Goal: “She’s very strong and solid… it’s going to be tough for sure, but I have a lot of time to prepare.”