Title: Siblings Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali Rameshbabu Make History as First Brother-Sister Chess Grandmasters
In a groundbreaking achievement, 22-year-old Vaishali has now joined an exclusive club of Grandmasters in India - the third female to do so in the nation's history. However, she isn't alone in making headlines within her family.
Her younger brother, Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu, became one of the youngest Grandmasters on record at the tender age of 12 in 2018. As per Chess.com, this pair has now made history as the first sibling duo to reach the prestigious title.
"Ever since I started playing chess, becoming a Grandmaster was my goal," Vaishali shared with Chess.com, after securing the title at the 4th El Llobregat Open in Spain.
"I came closer and closer, so I was both excited and under pressure. I'm just happy I finally managed to earn my way into the championship."
Earning the title of Grandmaster isn't a walk in the park and it requires patience, time, and consistent performance. A player must qualify by winning three regular tournaments, which must meet specific criteria, and surpass an International Chess Federation (FIDE) point tally of 2,500.
Vaishali nabbed three regular season victories, and last week in Spain, she clinched the 2,500-point mark by securing a win in the second round.
Praggnanandhaa, whose talent is considered among the elite chess players worldwide, had always believed in his sister's capability.
"I've always known that she had the potential for the GM title," he shared with FIDE last month, as his sister approached the required rank list points.
"I'm just so happy to see her finally reach her destination."
Further Reading:
Both Vaishali and Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu have surpassed the 2,500 FIDE points required to fulfill the prerequisites for the Grandmaster title. Chess.com also highlighted the pair as the first sibling duo to achieve the title of Grandmaster in chess.
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