The Hindu Editorial • April 17, 2026 • Read Original

Queen on the board: On R. Vaishali winning the Women’s Candidates tournament

Vaishali’s success should lead to greater depth in women’s chess

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The Hindu Read Original

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Analysis of editorial from The Hindu newspaper on April 17, 2026

Queen on the board: On R. Vaishali winning the Women’s Candidates tournament

Vaishali’s success should lead to greater depth in women’s chess

ChessR. VaishaliWomen's CandidatesIndian ChessWomen in Sports

Sentences

Sentence 1 of 15

English Original

The significance of R. Vaishali winning the Women’s Candidates cannot be overstated.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The of R. Vaishali winning the Women’s

The great importance of R. Vaishali’s victory in the top-level women’s chess tournament.

Part 2

cannot be

Is so incredibly important that it is impossible to describe it as being more important than it actually is.

Context and Background

FIDE Women

The FIDE Women’s Candidates is an elite tournament organized by the International Chess Federation (FIDE). The winner earns the right to challenge the reigning Women’s World Chess Champion in a title match.

Sentence 2 of 15

English Original

The winner of the gruelling 14-round tournament, featuring the world’s top chess players, gets the right to challenge the World champion; now the 24-year-old, who was not among the favourites in Cyprus, will take on China’s Ju Wenjun in the World championship later this year.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The winner of the 14-round tournament, the world’s top chess players

The person who finishes first after 14 difficult games against the best players in the world.

Part 2

gets

Obtains or receives as a reward.

Part 3

the right to challenge the World champion

The official permission to play a match against the current world number one for the title.

Part 4

now

At this time or following her win.

Part 5

the 24-year-old, who was not among the in Cyprus

Vaishali, who is 24 years old and was not expected to win the tournament held in Cyprus.

Part 6

will

Will compete against another person.

Part 7

China’s Ju Wenjun

The current reigning Women’s World Chess Champion from China.

Part 8

in the World championship later this year

In the final match for the world title which will happen later in the same year.

Context and Background

Women

Ju Wenjun is the current Women’s World Chess Champion. The winner of the Candidates Tournament challenges the reigning champion in a multi-game match to decide the new World Champion.

Sentence 3 of 15

English Original

Vaishali is the first Indian to win the Women’s Candidates, which dates back to 1952, and now only the second Indian to contest the Women’s World (classical) chess championship match.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Vaishali

The Indian chess player R. Vaishali.

Part 2

Represents a state of being or status.

Part 3

the first Indian to win the Women’s Candidates, which 1952

She is the first person from India to win this tournament that started in 1952.

Part 4

now

At this present moment.

Part 5

only the second Indian to the Women’s World () chess championship match

Only one other Indian woman (Koneru Humpy) has ever played in this final world title match before.

Context and Background

Indians in World Chess Championship

Koneru Humpy was the first Indian woman to play in a Women’s World Chess Championship match (2011). Vaishali, by winning the Candidates, becomes the second Indian woman to reach this final stage.

Sentence 4 of 15

English Original

She must be aiming to become the first Indian to capture the crown that matters most in women’s chess.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

She

Referring to R. Vaishali.

Part 2

must be

Is likely focusing on a specific goal or target.

Part 3

to become the first Indian to the that matters most in women’s chess

To win the Women’s World Chess Championship title, which is the most prestigious achievement in the sport.

Sentence 5 of 15

English Original

Besides Vaishali, Divya Deshmukh also played at the Candidates, though she had a forgettable tournament, finishing seventh in a field of eight.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Besides Vaishali

In addition to Vaishali.

Part 2

Divya Deshmukh

Another young promising Indian chess player.

Part 3

also

Used here to show that she too participated.

Part 4

played

Participated or competed in the games.

Part 5

at the Candidates

In the Candidates chess tournament.

Part 6

though she had a tournament, finishing seventh in a

But her performance was not very good, as she finished second to last among the eight players.

Sentence 6 of 15

English Original

Divya had made history herself last July when she won the World Cup: she was the first Indian woman to win that prestigious event.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Divya

Referring to Divya Deshmukh.

Part 2

had made

Created or established (referring to history).

Part 3

history herself

A great achievement that will be remembered.

Part 4

last July

In the month of July in the previous year (2025).

Part 5

when she won the World Cup

At the time she came first in the World Cup tournament.

Part 6

she

Referring back to Divya.

Part 7

was

Indicates her past status.

Part 8

the first Indian woman to win that event

No other woman from India had won the Chess World Cup before her.

Sentence 7 of 15

English Original

It is remarkable that two young Indian women have won two of the biggest events in world chess within a space of nine months.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

A placeholder subject used to introduce the main idea.

Part 2

Indicates the current state or quality.

Part 3

Something very unusual or surprising in a good way.

Part 4

that two young Indian women

Referring to R. Vaishali and Divya Deshmukh.

Part 5

have won

Have successfully come first in competitions.

Part 6

two of the biggest events in world chess

The World Cup and the Candidates Tournament, which are very high-level competitions.

Part 7

within a space of nine months

During a short period of only nine months.

Sentence 8 of 15

English Original

And Koneru Humpy had clinched her second World rapid championship in December 2024.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Koneru Humpy

The famous Indian woman chess player.

Part 2

had

Had successfully won or secured a victory.

Part 3

her second World championship

Her second world title in the faster format of chess.

Part 4

in December 2024

Reference to the time when the event occurred.

Sentence 9 of 15

English Original

Notwithstanding their successes, and the fact that Indian women, like the men, are the reigning World team champions (by winning the Chess Olympiad), the country cannot boast of great depth in women’s chess.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

their successes

Despite the victories they have achieved.

Part 2

and the fact that Indian women, like the men, are the World team champions (by winning the )

And even though the Indian women’s team currently holds the world title from the major team event.

Part 3

the country

Referring to India.

Part 4

cannot

Does not have the right or enough evidence to be very proud of something.

Part 5

great depth in women’s chess

A strong foundation with a large number of highly skilled female players.

Sentence 10 of 15

English Original

While there is no shortage of fresh talent among boys on the Indian chessboard, the story is different when it comes to girls.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

While there is no of fresh among boys on the Indian chessboard

Even though there are many new and gifted young boys playing chess in India.

Part 2

the story

The situation or set of facts being discussed.

Part 3

Describes the state of the situation.

Part 4

different

Not the same as the previous point mentioned.

Part 5

when it comes to girls

Regarding or concerning the topic of girls.

Sentence 11 of 15

English Original

Women like Vaishali and Divya are not products of the system; they have succeeded because of their parents, and in the case of the former, generous corporate sponsorship has also played a role.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Women like Vaishali and Divya

Female chess players such as R. Vaishali and Divya Deshmukh.

Part 2

are not

Used here as a negative state of being.

Part 3

products of the system

People who have achieved success because of the support and training provided by an official organization or structure.

Part 4

they

Referring back to Vaishali and Divya.

Part 5

have succeeded

To have achieved wealth, respect, or fame.

Part 6

because of their parents

Due to the help, encouragement, and money provided by their mother and father.

Part 7

in the case of

Referring to the first of the two people mentioned (Vaishali).

Part 8

corporate sponsorship

Large amounts of financial support from private companies.

Part 9

has also played

Has contributed to the outcome in addition to other factors.

Part 10

a role

An active part or influence in a particular situation.

Sentence 12 of 15

English Original

Corporates have also contributed to the staggering growth of Indian chess.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Corporates

Large business companies or groups.

Part 2

have also

Have helped to cause or bring about something along with other things.

Part 3

the growth of Indian chess

The incredibly fast and surprising increase in the popularity and success of chess in India.

Sentence 13 of 15

English Original

The WestBridge Anand Chess Academy (WACA), founded by Sandeep Singhal and five-time World champion Viswanathan Anand, ensured that money was no constraint for Gukesh’s challenge for the World title against Ding Liren in 2024.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The WestBridge Anand Chess Academy (WACA), by Sandeep Singhal and five-time World champion Viswanathan Anand

A chess training center started by a businessman and the famous champion Viswanathan Anand.

Part 2

ensured

Made sure that something would happen.

Part 3

that money was no for Gukesh’s challenge for the World title against Ding Liren in 2024

That the player Gukesh had all the money he needed to play for the world championship.

Sentence 14 of 15

English Original

Indian chess can get only better if more corporates step forward.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Indian chess

The sport of chess in India.

Part 2

can get

Has the possibility of becoming.

Part 3

only better

Improve more and more.

Part 4

if more corporates

On the condition that more companies offer their help or money.

Sentence 15 of 15

English Original

To ensure that women’s chess keeps its momentum, the chess federation should focus on girls, get them trained by Grandmasters, and organise more tournaments for them.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

To ensure that women’s chess keeps its

In order to make sure that the current progress in women’s chess continues.

Part 2

the chess federation

The All India Chess Federation (AICF).

Part 3

should focus on

Should give most of their attention to something.

Part 4

girls

Young female players.

Part 5

get them trained by Grandmasters

Arrange for the best players in the world to teach the girls.

Part 6

organise more tournaments for them

Plan and hold more chess competitions specifically for female players.

Sentence 1 of 15

Sentences Breakdown

Editorial Summary

5-Point Summary

1 R. Vaishali created history by becoming the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Women’s Candidates tournament.
2 This victory earns her the right to challenge the reigning World Champion, Ju Wenjun of China, for the title.
3 While Indian women have seen individual successes, the editorial highlights a lack of depth in the sport compared to men’s chess.
4 Current successes are often attributed to personal efforts and corporate backing rather than a robust institutional system.
5 The editorial calls for the national chess federation to proactively support young girls and provide better training infrastructure.

Tone of the Editorial

Laudatory

Why this tone?

The editorial celebrates R. Vaishali’s historic achievement with pride, while also being analytical about the underlying systemic issues in Indian women’s chess. The title “Queen on the board” and praise for “remarkable” achievements indicate a highly positive stance toward the players’ successes.

Sentence 1 of 15

The significance of R. Vaishali winning the Women’s Candidates cannot be overstated.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The significance of R. Vaishali winning the Women’s Candidates

The great importance of R. Vaishali’s victory in the top-level women’s chess tournament.

Part 2

cannot be overstated

Is so incredibly important that it is impossible to describe it as being more important than it actually is.

Sentence 2 of 15

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The winner of the gruelling 14-round tournament, featuring the world’s top chess players

The person who finishes first after 14 difficult games against the best players in the world.

Part 2

gets

Obtains or receives as a reward.

Part 3

the right to challenge the World champion

The official permission to play a match against the current world number one for the title.

Part 4

now

At this time or following her win.

Part 5

the 24-year-old, who was not among the favourites in Cyprus

Vaishali, who is 24 years old and was not expected to win the tournament held in Cyprus.

Part 6

will take on

Will compete against another person.

Part 7

China’s Ju Wenjun

The current reigning Women’s World Chess Champion from China.

Part 8

in the World championship later this year

In the final match for the world title which will happen later in the same year.

Sentence 3 of 15

Vaishali is the first Indian to win the Women’s Candidates, which dates back to 1952, and now only the second Indian to contest the Women’s World (classical) chess championship match.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Vaishali

The Indian chess player R. Vaishali.

Part 2

Represents a state of being or status.

Part 3

the first Indian to win the Women’s Candidates, which dates back to 1952

She is the first person from India to win this tournament that started in 1952.

Part 4

now

At this present moment.

Part 5

only the second Indian to contest the Women’s World (classical) chess championship match

Only one other Indian woman (Koneru Humpy) has ever played in this final world title match before.

Sentence 4 of 15

She must be aiming to become the first Indian to capture the crown that matters most in women’s chess.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

She

Referring to R. Vaishali.

Part 2

must be aiming

Is likely focusing on a specific goal or target.

Part 3

to become the first Indian to capture the crown that matters most in women’s chess

To win the Women’s World Chess Championship title, which is the most prestigious achievement in the sport.

Sentence 5 of 15

Besides Vaishali, Divya Deshmukh also played at the Candidates, though she had a forgettable tournament, finishing seventh in a field of eight.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Besides Vaishali

In addition to Vaishali.

Part 2

Divya Deshmukh

Another young promising Indian chess player.

Part 3

also

Used here to show that she too participated.

Part 4

played

Participated or competed in the games.

Part 5

at the Candidates

In the Candidates chess tournament.

Part 6

though she had a forgettable tournament, finishing seventh in a field of eight

But her performance was not very good, as she finished second to last among the eight players.

Sentence 6 of 15

Divya had made history herself last July when she won the World Cup: she was the first Indian woman to win that prestigious event.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Divya

Referring to Divya Deshmukh.

Part 2

had made

Created or established (referring to history).

Part 3

history herself

A great achievement that will be remembered.

Part 4

last July

In the month of July in the previous year (2025).

Part 5

when she won the World Cup

At the time she came first in the World Cup tournament.

Part 6

she

Referring back to Divya.

Part 7

was

Indicates her past status.

Part 8

the first Indian woman to win that prestigious event

No other woman from India had won the Chess World Cup before her.

Sentence 7 of 15

It is remarkable that two young Indian women have won two of the biggest events in world chess within a space of nine months.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

A placeholder subject used to introduce the main idea.

Part 2

Indicates the current state or quality.

Part 3

remarkable

Something very unusual or surprising in a good way.

Part 4

that two young Indian women

Referring to R. Vaishali and Divya Deshmukh.

Part 5

have won

Have successfully come first in competitions.

Part 6

two of the biggest events in world chess

The World Cup and the Candidates Tournament, which are very high-level competitions.

Part 7

within a space of nine months

During a short period of only nine months.

Sentence 8 of 15

And Koneru Humpy had clinched her second World rapid championship in December 2024.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Koneru Humpy

The famous Indian woman chess player.

Part 2

had clinched

Had successfully won or secured a victory.

Part 3

her second World rapid championship

Her second world title in the faster format of chess.

Part 4

in December 2024

Reference to the time when the event occurred.

Sentence 9 of 15

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Notwithstanding their successes

Despite the victories they have achieved.

Part 2

and the fact that Indian women, like the men, are the reigning World team champions (by winning the Chess Olympiad)

And even though the Indian women’s team currently holds the world title from the major team event.

Part 3

the country

Referring to India.

Part 4

cannot boast of

Does not have the right or enough evidence to be very proud of something.

Part 5

great depth in women’s chess

A strong foundation with a large number of highly skilled female players.

Sentence 10 of 15

While there is no shortage of fresh talent among boys on the Indian chessboard, the story is different when it comes to girls.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

While there is no shortage of fresh talent among boys on the Indian chessboard

Even though there are many new and gifted young boys playing chess in India.

Part 2

the story

The situation or set of facts being discussed.

Part 3

Describes the state of the situation.

Part 4

different

Not the same as the previous point mentioned.

Part 5

when it comes to girls

Regarding or concerning the topic of girls.

Sentence 11 of 15

Women like Vaishali and Divya are not products of the system; they have succeeded because of their parents, and in the case of the former, generous corporate sponsorship has also played a role.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Women like Vaishali and Divya

Female chess players such as R. Vaishali and Divya Deshmukh.

Part 2

are not

Used here as a negative state of being.

Part 3

products of the system

People who have achieved success because of the support and training provided by an official organization or structure.

Part 4

they

Referring back to Vaishali and Divya.

Part 5

have succeeded

To have achieved wealth, respect, or fame.

Part 6

because of their parents

Due to the help, encouragement, and money provided by their mother and father.

Part 7

in the case of the former

Referring to the first of the two people mentioned (Vaishali).

Part 8

generous corporate sponsorship

Large amounts of financial support from private companies.

Part 9

has also played

Has contributed to the outcome in addition to other factors.

Part 10

a role

An active part or influence in a particular situation.

Sentence 12 of 15

Corporates have also contributed to the staggering growth of Indian chess.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Corporates

Large business companies or groups.

Part 2

have also contributed to

Have helped to cause or bring about something along with other things.

Part 3

the staggering growth of Indian chess

The incredibly fast and surprising increase in the popularity and success of chess in India.

Sentence 13 of 15

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

The WestBridge Anand Chess Academy (WACA), founded by Sandeep Singhal and five-time World champion Viswanathan Anand

A chess training center started by a businessman and the famous champion Viswanathan Anand.

Part 2

ensured

Made sure that something would happen.

Part 3

that money was no constraint for Gukesh’s challenge for the World title against Ding Liren in 2024

That the player Gukesh had all the money he needed to play for the world championship.

Sentence 14 of 15

Indian chess can get only better if more corporates step forward.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

Indian chess

The sport of chess in India.

Part 2

can get

Has the possibility of becoming.

Part 3

only better

Improve more and more.

Part 4

if more corporates step forward

On the condition that more companies offer their help or money.

Sentence 15 of 15

To ensure that women’s chess keeps its momentum, the chess federation should focus on girls, get them trained by Grandmasters, and organise more tournaments for them.

Sentence Breakdown

Part 1

To ensure that women’s chess keeps its momentum

In order to make sure that the current progress in women’s chess continues.

Part 2

the chess federation

The All India Chess Federation (AICF).

Part 3

should focus on

Should give most of their attention to something.

Part 4

girls

Young female players.

Part 5

get them trained by Grandmasters

Arrange for the best players in the world to teach the girls.

Part 6

organise more tournaments for them

Plan and hold more chess competitions specifically for female players.

Reading Comprehension

Practice questions based on this editorial

Reading Comprehension - R. Vaishali and Indian Women's Chess

Practice reading comprehension questions based on the editorial about R. Vaishali's historic win and the growth of women's chess in India.

5 Questions Passing: 70%

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Queen on the board: On R. Vaishali winning the Women’s Candidates tournament

Reading Comprehension

Reading Comprehension - R. Vaishali and Indian Women's Chess

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