A Dream Realized
Speaking at the postgame press conference, Vaishali expressed immense joy at her achievement. “It’s amazing, a dream come true for me. When I lost to Zhu Jiner, everything suddenly opened up, and I’m happy I was able to stay focused in the last two rounds and give my best.” She credited her success to the unwavering support of her family, especially highlighting the sacrifices made over the years. Vaishali also acknowledged her younger brother, R Praggnanandhaa, emphasizing the unique journey of a family nurturing two elite chess professionals. “It’s been a collective family effort over many years, and each of us plays a part,” she noted.
