New Delhi, May 3 -- At the FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament 2026, which took place in Cyprus from March 28 to April 15, eight of the sharpest minds in chess matched wits and will over 14 rounds in 19 days, hoping to survive and eventually surpass the field. For Indian star Vaishali Rameshbabu, it was a defeat deep in the tournament that brought some respite.

Having started the Candidates with four draws and a loss, Vaishali, the lowest rated player in the field, found herself one full point ahead of the rest after beating Aleksandra Goryachkina in round 11. In the next round, she went down to Zhu Jiner and fell back into joint lead with the Chinese GM.

"When I lost to Zhu Jiner I felt, 'OK, we're back to normal now.' And the last two ...