November 6, 2023
Historic Double Triumph: India’s Vidit Gujrathi and R Vaishali Shine Bright at FIDE Grand Swiss
In a thrilling and historic double win for India, R Vaishali and Vidit Gujrathi secured their respective titles in the FIDE Grand Swiss, while also earning coveted spots in the prestigious Candidates tournament. The world stage witnessed their remarkable achievements, making it an unforgettable moment for Indian chess.
Vidit Gujrathi’s journey to victory was nothing short of spectacular. In a defining showdown, Vidit outplayed Alexandr Predke of Serbia, notching up his seventh win in the competition and claiming the top spot in the open section. His victory was a testament to his incredible skill and determination.
On the women’s front, R Vaishali showcased her prowess with an impressive draw against Batkhuyag Mungutuul of Mongolia in the final round. This hard-fought draw secured the women’s title for Vaishali, marking a historic moment in Indian chess. Both Vaishali and Vidit demonstrated their exceptional talent and earned identical scores of 8.5 points each, staying half a point ahead of their closest competitors.
Aside from the prestige of qualifying for the Candidates tournament, the substantial prize money was another highlight of their victories. Vaishali received a well-deserved reward of USD 25,000, while Vidit claimed an impressive purse of USD 80,000.
In the women’s section, Anna Muzychuk of Ukraine secured the second position with a draw against the veteran Grandmaster Pia Cramling of Sweden. Tan Zhongyi finished third, becoming the second woman player to qualify for the Candidates, with Muzychuk having already secured her place through the World Women’s Cup.
In the open section, Hikaru Nakamura played a solid game to secure a draw against India’s Arjun Erigaisi, who finished a commendable fourth and remained unbeaten throughout the tournament.
Vaishali’s victory marked a historic moment in Indian chess as she became the first Indian to win the Grand Swiss. Her journey to the Candidates alongside India’s first woman Grandmaster, Koneru Humpy, is a significant milestone for Indian chess. Humpy is likely to qualify based on her high rating, with the final decision expected in January 2024.
For now, Vaishali’s triumph shines brightly, heralding a new star in Indian chess after a 12-year gap since D Harika became the second Grandmaster from India.
Vidit’s path to victory was marked by precision and determination. His mastery of the Queen’s Gambit accepted game was evident as he played white, traded queens early, and pressed for an advantage in the middle game. Predke faced a pawn loss in a tactical exchange, and Vidit’s victory solidified his place in the Candidates, especially as his closest competitor, Andrey Esipenko of Russia, was defeated by Anish Giri of Holland.
This historic win at the FIDE Grand Swiss not only celebrates the exceptional talents of Vidit Gujrathi and R Vaishali but also marks a significant chapter in Indian chess, promising an exciting future on the international stage. #FIDEGrandSwiss #ChessChampions #CandidatesTournament https://www.sportiwe.com/
