Indian chess player Vaishali Rameshbabu
earned her grandmaster title by crossing 2,500 International Chess Federation
(FIDE) ranking points at the IV El Llobregat Open in Spain on Friday, becoming
only third Indian female player to do so.
Earlier having fulfilled three GM norms,
Vaishali completed the one final requirement by attaining the required number
of rating points on Friday.
She is the third female player to attain
the grandmaster title, besides Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli.
She has now joined the company of over
80 Indian chess players who have been given this title, including legendary
Vishwanathan Anand, Humpy, Dronavalli, Dibyendu Barua, Rameshbabu
Praggnanandhaa etc.
Vaishali is also the sister of young
18-year-old chess sensation Praggnanandhaa, making them the first-ever
grandmaster siblings pair in the game’s history.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin
congratulated the duo on their achievement.
“Huge congrats, Vaishali, on becoming
the third female Grandmaster from India and the first from Tamil Nadu! 2023 has
been splendid for you. Alongside your brother R Praggnanandhaa, you’ve made
history as the first sister-brother duo to qualify for the candidates’
tournament.
Adding to the glory, you are now the first-ever
Grandmaster siblings. We’re immensely proud of your achievements, and your
remarkable journey is an inspiration to aspiring chess enthusiasts and a
testament to women’s empowerment in our State! Tamil Nadu Pride: Udhay Stalin. Chess
Base India FIDE_chess,” tweeted Stalin from his official X handle.
ANI
