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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
10 min read

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.

Simple Present S + V Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
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.
Verb What is happening
cannot be overstated
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.

Simple Present & Simple Future S + V + O ; Adjunct + S + V + O + Adjunct Independent Clauses Compound-Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
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.
Verb What is happening
gets
Obtains or receives as a reward.
Object What receives action
the right to challenge the World champion
The official permission to play a match against the current world number one for the title.
Adjunct Additional info
now
At this time or following her win.
Subject Who/What
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.
Verb What is happening
will take on
Will compete against another person.
Object What receives action
China’s Ju Wenjun
The current reigning Women’s World Chess Champion from China.
Adjunct Additional info
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.

Simple Present S + V + C + S + Adjunct + C Main Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
Vaishali
The Indian chess player R. Vaishali.
Verb What is happening
is
Represents a state of being or status.
Complement Completes meaning
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.
Adjunct Additional info
now
At this present moment.
Complement Completes meaning
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.
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.

Present Continuous with Modal S + V + O Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
She
Referring to R. Vaishali.
Verb What is happening
must be aiming
Is likely focusing on a specific goal or target.
Object What receives action
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
English Original

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

Simple Past Adjunct + S + Adjunct + V + Adjunct + Adjunct Main Clause + Subordinate Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
Besides Vaishali
In addition to Vaishali.
Subject Who/What
Divya Deshmukh
Another young promising Indian chess player.
Adjunct Additional info
also
Used here to show that she too participated.
Verb What is happening
played
Participated or competed in the games.
Adjunct Additional info
at the Candidates
In the Candidates chess tournament.
Adjunct Additional info
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
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.

Past Perfect & Simple Past S + V + O + Adjunct + Adjunct : S + V + C Independent Clauses Compound-Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
Divya
Referring to Divya Deshmukh.
Verb What is happening
had made
Created or established (referring to history).
Object What receives action
history herself
A great achievement that will be remembered.
Adjunct Additional info
last July
In the month of July in the previous year (2025).
Adjunct Additional info
when she won the World Cup
At the time she came first in the World Cup tournament.
Subject Who/What
she
Referring back to Divya.
Verb What is happening
was
Indicates her past status.
Complement Completes meaning
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
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.

Simple Present & Present Perfect S + V + C + S + V + O + Adjunct Main Clause + Subordinate Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
It
A placeholder subject used to introduce the main idea.
Verb What is happening
is
Indicates the current state or quality.
Complement Completes meaning
remarkable
Something very unusual or surprising in a good way.
Subject Who/What
that two young Indian women
Referring to R. Vaishali and Divya Deshmukh.
Verb What is happening
have won
Have successfully come first in competitions.
Object What receives action
two of the biggest events in world chess
The World Cup and the Candidates Tournament, which are very high-level competitions.
Adjunct Additional info
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.

Past Perfect S + V + O + Adjunct Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
Koneru Humpy
The famous Indian woman chess player.
Verb What is happening
had clinched
Had successfully won or secured a victory.
Object What receives action
her second World rapid championship
Her second world title in the faster format of chess.
Adjunct Additional info
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.

Simple Present Adjunct + Adjunct + S + V + O Main Clause + Subordinate Clauses Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
Notwithstanding their successes
Despite the victories they have achieved.
Adjunct Additional info
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.
Subject Who/What
the country
Referring to India.
Verb What is happening
cannot boast of
Does not have the right or enough evidence to be very proud of something.
Object What receives action
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.

Simple Present Adjunct + S + V + C + Adjunct Main Clause + Subordinate Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
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.
Subject Who/What
the story
The situation or set of facts being discussed.
Verb What is happening
is
Describes the state of the situation.
Complement Completes meaning
different
Not the same as the previous point mentioned.
Adjunct Additional info
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.

Simple Present & Present Perfect S + V + C ; S + V + Adjunct , S + Adjunct , S + V + Adjunct + V + O Independent Clauses Compound Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
Women like Vaishali and Divya
Female chess players such as R. Vaishali and Divya Deshmukh.
Verb What is happening
are not
Used here as a negative state of being.
Complement Completes meaning
products of the system
People who have achieved success because of the support and training provided by an official organization or structure.
Subject Who/What
they
Referring back to Vaishali and Divya.
Verb What is happening
have succeeded
To have achieved wealth, respect, or fame.
Adjunct Additional info
because of their parents
Due to the help, encouragement, and money provided by their mother and father.
Adjunct Additional info
in the case of the former
Referring to the first of the two people mentioned (Vaishali).
Subject Who/What
generous corporate sponsorship
Large amounts of financial support from private companies.
Verb What is happening
has also played
Has contributed to the outcome in addition to other factors.
Object What receives action
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.

Present Perfect S + V + Adjunct + V + O Main Clause Simple Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
Corporates
Large business companies or groups.
Verb What is happening
have also contributed to
Have helped to cause or bring about something along with other things.
Object What receives action
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
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.

Simple Past S + V + O Main Clause + Subordinate Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
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.
Verb What is happening
ensured
Made sure that something would happen.
Object What receives action
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
English Original

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

Simple Present with Modal S + V + C + Adjunct Main Clause + Subordinate Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Subject Who/What
Indian chess
The sport of chess in India.
Verb What is happening
can get
Has the possibility of becoming.
Complement Completes meaning
only better
Improve more and more.
Adjunct Additional info
if more corporates step forward
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.

Present with Modal Adjunct + S + V + O , V + O + C , and V + O Main Clause + Subordinate Clause Complex Sentence
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct Additional info
To ensure that women’s chess keeps its momentum
In order to make sure that the current progress in women’s chess continues.
Subject Who/What
the chess federation
The All India Chess Federation (AICF).
Verb What is happening
should focus on
Should give most of their attention to something.
Object What receives action
girls
Young female players.
Verb What is happening
get them trained by Grandmasters
Arrange for the best players in the world to teach the girls.
Verb What is happening
organise more tournaments for them
Plan and hold more chess competitions specifically for female players.
Sentence 1 of 15
Sentence 1 of 15
The significance of R. Vaishali winning the Women’s Candidates cannot be overstated.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
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.
Verb
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
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.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
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.
Verb
gets
Obtains or receives as a reward.
Object
the right to challenge the World champion
The official permission to play a match against the current world number one for the title.
Adjunct
now
At this time or following her win.
Subject
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.
Verb
will take on
Will compete against another person.
Object
China’s Ju Wenjun
The current reigning Women’s World Chess Champion from China.
Adjunct
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.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Vaishali
The Indian chess player R. Vaishali.
Verb
is
Represents a state of being or status.
Complement
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.
Adjunct
now
At this present moment.
Complement
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.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
She
Referring to R. Vaishali.
Verb
must be aiming
Is likely focusing on a specific goal or target.
Object
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.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
Besides Vaishali
In addition to Vaishali.
Subject
Divya Deshmukh
Another young promising Indian chess player.
Adjunct
also
Used here to show that she too participated.
Verb
played
Participated or competed in the games.
Adjunct
at the Candidates
In the Candidates chess tournament.
Adjunct
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.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Divya
Referring to Divya Deshmukh.
Verb
had made
Created or established (referring to history).
Object
history herself
A great achievement that will be remembered.
Adjunct
last July
In the month of July in the previous year (2025).
Adjunct
when she won the World Cup
At the time she came first in the World Cup tournament.
Subject
she
Referring back to Divya.
Verb
was
Indicates her past status.
Complement
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.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
It
A placeholder subject used to introduce the main idea.
Verb
is
Indicates the current state or quality.
Complement
remarkable
Something very unusual or surprising in a good way.
Subject
that two young Indian women
Referring to R. Vaishali and Divya Deshmukh.
Verb
have won
Have successfully come first in competitions.
Object
two of the biggest events in world chess
The World Cup and the Candidates Tournament, which are very high-level competitions.
Adjunct
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.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Koneru Humpy
The famous Indian woman chess player.
Verb
had clinched
Had successfully won or secured a victory.
Object
her second World rapid championship
Her second world title in the faster format of chess.
Adjunct
in December 2024
Reference to the time when the event occurred.
Sentence 9 of 15
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.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
Notwithstanding their successes
Despite the victories they have achieved.
Adjunct
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.
Subject
the country
Referring to India.
Verb
cannot boast of
Does not have the right or enough evidence to be very proud of something.
Object
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.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
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.
Subject
the story
The situation or set of facts being discussed.
Verb
is
Describes the state of the situation.
Complement
different
Not the same as the previous point mentioned.
Adjunct
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.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Women like Vaishali and Divya
Female chess players such as R. Vaishali and Divya Deshmukh.
Verb
are not
Used here as a negative state of being.
Complement
products of the system
People who have achieved success because of the support and training provided by an official organization or structure.
Subject
they
Referring back to Vaishali and Divya.
Verb
have succeeded
To have achieved wealth, respect, or fame.
Adjunct
because of their parents
Due to the help, encouragement, and money provided by their mother and father.
Adjunct
in the case of the former
Referring to the first of the two people mentioned (Vaishali).
Subject
generous corporate sponsorship
Large amounts of financial support from private companies.
Verb
has also played
Has contributed to the outcome in addition to other factors.
Object
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.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Corporates
Large business companies or groups.
Verb
have also contributed to
Have helped to cause or bring about something along with other things.
Object
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
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.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
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.
Verb
ensured
Made sure that something would happen.
Object
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.
Phrase Breakdown
Subject
Indian chess
The sport of chess in India.
Verb
can get
Has the possibility of becoming.
Complement
only better
Improve more and more.
Adjunct
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.
Phrase Breakdown
Adjunct
To ensure that women’s chess keeps its momentum
In order to make sure that the current progress in women’s chess continues.
Subject
the chess federation
The All India Chess Federation (AICF).
Verb
should focus on
Should give most of their attention to something.
Object
girls
Young female players.
Verb
get them trained by Grandmasters
Arrange for the best players in the world to teach the girls.
Verb
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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