R Vaishali's Support Team: From Mentor Viswanathan Anand to Morale-Booster Pranesh
Indian chess grandmaster R Vaishali has secured a spot in the Women’s World Chess Championship after winning the 2026 Candidates tournament in Cyprus. This article highlights the crucial off-board support system that contributed to her success, distinguishing them from her secret team of technical seconds. Key figures include five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, who served as a mentor and connected her with coach Sandipan Chanda, and RB Ramesh, a long-time guru to Vaishali and her brother R Praggnanandhaa. A unique addition to her camp was 19-year-old grandmaster Pranesh, brought along by Ramesh to provide moral support and alleviate stress through humor and casual games like table tennis. Additionally, grandmaster Adhiban Bhaskaran offered daily encouragement from India. Vaishali emphasized that while her technical preparation remained confidential, this emotional and mental support network was vital in managing the high-pressure environment of the Candidates. Her victory makes her the first Indian woman in 15 years to challenge for the world title, underscoring the collaborative effort behind her achievement.
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R Vaishali's Support Team: From Mentor Viswanathan Anand to Morale-Booster Pranesh
Indian chess grandmaster R Vaishali has secured a spot in the Women’s World Chess Championship after winning the 2026 Candidates tournament in Cyprus. This article highlights the crucial off-board support system that contributed to her success, distinguishing them from her secret team of technical seconds. Key figures include five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, who served as a mentor and connected her with coach Sandipan Chanda, and RB Ramesh, a long-time guru to Vaishali and her brother R Praggnanandhaa. A unique addition to her camp was 19-year-old grandmaster Pranesh, brought along by Ramesh to provide moral support and alleviate stress through humor and casual games like table tennis. Additionally, grandmaster Adhiban Bhaskaran offered daily encouragement from India. Vaishali emphasized that while her technical preparation remained confidential, this emotional and mental support network was vital in managing the high-pressure environment of the Candidates. Her victory makes her the first Indian woman in 15 years to challenge for the world title, underscoring the collaborative effort behind her achievement.
The Indian Express