Who is Vaishali Rameshbabu?

Vaishali Rameshbabu is one of India’s top chess players and a Woman Grandmaster (WGM). Born into a chess-loving family in Chennai, she has carved her own path in the game while sharing the spotlight with her younger brother, GM Praggnanandhaa. With a FIDE rating of 2475 (as of 2024), she’s among India’s strongest female players and continues to break new ground in women’s chess.

Early Life & Chess Beginnings

  • Born: June 21, 2001, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

  • Family: Parents Rameshbabu (a bank employee) and Nagalakshmi (a homemaker) supported both Vaishali and Praggnanandhaa’s chess careers.

  • Early Talent: Started playing chess at 6 years old and quickly stood out in local tournaments.

  • First Major Win: Clinched gold at the 2012 World Youth Chess Championship (U12 Girls), signaling her potential.

Chess Career Highlights

Rise to Woman Grandmaster (WGM)

  • 2016: Earned the Woman International Master (WIM) title.

  • 2018: Became a Woman Grandmaster (WGM) after strong performances in international events.

  • 2021: Won the Asian Continental Women’s Chess Championship, a major career milestone.

  • 2022: Crossed the 2500 Elo mark, joining Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli as the only Indian women to do so.

  • 2023: Qualified for the Women’s Candidates Tournament—a stepping stone to the World Championship.

  • 2024: Made history as India’s third female Grandmaster (GM) after securing her final GM norm.

Notable Performances

  • Multiple-time Indian Women’s Champion.

  • Key player for India in Chess Olympiads.

  • Strong showings in the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix circuit.

Personal Life & Playing Style

  • Training: Coached by RB Ramesh, who also mentors her brother.

  • Style: Known for her calm, strategic approach, especially in endgames.

  • Education: Balanced chess with academics, completing a degree in Commerce.

  • Inspiration: Often practices with Praggnanandhaa, creating a unique sibling rivalry that pushes both to excel.

Net Worth & Sponsorships

While exact figures aren’t public, Vaishali’s earnings come from:

  • Tournament prizes (e.g., FIDE Grand Prix, Asian Championships).

  • Sponsorships from brands like Chess.com and Indian sports foundations.

  • Estimated Net Worth: Between $500,000 – $1 million (as of 2024).

Future Goals

  • Compete for the Women’s World Chess Championship title.

  • Inspire more girls in India to take up chess professionally.

  • Break into the world’s top 10 women’s rankings.

Why Vaishali Matters

Vaishali isn’t just Praggnanandhaa’s sister—she’s a trailblazer for women’s chess in India. Her journey from Chennai’s local tournaments to the global stage proves that with determination, even quiet champions can make history.

Did you know? She and Praggnanandhaa are the first brother-sister duo in chess history to both earn the Grandmaster title!

Would you like more details on her recent tournaments or playing strategies?

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