Vidit Gujrathi Wins FIDE Grand Swiss Title and Advances to Candidates Tournament

In a rare double for India on the international scene, R Vaishali and Vidit Gujrathi won the open and women’s categories crowns in the FIDE Grand Swiss. Both players also advanced to the coveted Candidates event.

On Sunday night, Vaishali won the women’s championship after a tie with Batkhuyag Mungutuul of Mongolia in the eleventh and final round, while Vidit defeated Alexandr Predke of Serbia to win the tournament for the eighth time and claim the top place in the open division.

With equal final scores of 8.5 points each, Vaishali and Vidit both managed to keep half a point ahead of their closest competitors.

In addition to earning a spot in the Candidates, which would take held in Canada in April of the following year, Vaishali earned USD 25000 (more than Rs 20 lakhs), while Vidit won an enormous USD 80000 (more than Rs 66 lakhs) in prize money.

Anna Muzychuk of Ukraine finished in second place in the women’s division after a tie with seasoned Grandmaster Pia Cramling of Sweden.

Tan Zhongyi, who placed third, was the second female player to qualify for the Candidates. Muzychuk was previously included in the World Women’s Cup roster.

In the open division, India’s Arjun Erigaisi finished a creditable fourth and went undefeated throughout the tournament, while Hikaru Nakamura produced a rock-solid game to draw as black.

Vaishali, who is just short of a few points for the Grandmaster title, has her sights set on the gold.

The sister of Praggnanandhaa, who lives in Chennai, attempted intricacy once again but was rebuffed by Mungutuul, a formidable foe.

Vaishali again went for complications in this Ruy Lopez opening, and the computer analysis showed that she stood better. In theory, it seemed as if the Indian was in control of the game, but Mungutuul quickly opened up a file on the queen’s side, negating the advantage. Only 34 moves were needed to draw the game.

Vaishali, who became the first Indian to win the Grand Swiss, will have competition in the Candidates from Koneru Humpy, the country’s first female Grandmaster.

Due to her excellent ranking, Humpy is probably eligible, but the outcome won’t be revealed until January 2024.

Right now, Vaishali is the only option. After a 12-year hiatus, India Chess welcomes a new star. 2011 saw the ascension of D Harika to the rank of Indian Grandmaster.

When playing the safe Queen’s Gambit, Vidit was very accurate, if Vaishali was consistent.

With white, the 29-year-old from Nashik swapped the queens early in the middle game and tried to gain an edge.

Predke lost a pawn in a straightforward tactical brawl, and Vidit had the opportunity to draw to guarantee his spot in the Candidates while Andrey Esipenko of Russia, the other pursuer, was soundly defeated by Anish Giri of Holland.

After 47 moves, the Indian, however, showed courage and went for the championship instead, and he was rewarded with victory.