World Blitz Chess Championship; Praggnanandhaa's sister Vaishali wins bronze in women's category

NEW YORK: India's R Vaishali has won the bronze medal in the women's category of the World Blitz Chess Championship. India's Koneru Hampy had won gold in the rapid championship earlier becoming the world champion.

Vaishali had to settle for the bronze after losing to the Chinese player Ju Wenjun in the semi-finals of the championship. Ju Wenjun won with a score of 2.5-0.5. Vaishali reached the semi-finals by defeating another Chinese player Zhu Jiner by 2.5-1.5 points in the quarter. Ju Wenjun defeated Vaishali in the semi-finals and won the World Blitz title by defeating her compatriot Lei Tingjie in the final.

23-year-old Vaishali is the sister of Indian Grandmaster Praggnanandhaa. They are the first siblings to hold the title of Grandmaster. Both were in the team when India won gold in the men's and women's categories at the 2024 Chess Olympiad.