Yoga And Meditation Helped R Vaishali On The Road To Candidates Glory: RB Ramesh Recalls

Last Updated:April 16, 2026, 08:53 IST

R Vaishali wins FIDE Womens Candidates 2026, earning a world title match vs Ju Wenjun, coach RB Ramesh credits yoga, meditation and mental training for her comeback

India’s R Vaishali on Wednesday clinched the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026, earning a shot for the World Championship against Ju Wenjun later this year.

Vaishali’s journey was not easy as Grandmaster RB Ramesh recalls. He has credited a combination of mental conditioning and lifestyle changes for Vaishali’s remarkable turnaround at the Candidates.

Reflecting on her resurgence, Ramesh highlighted how difficult it is to recover in such high-pressure tournaments once momentum is lost early.

“If you don’t do well in the first half, it is almost impossible to recover because you start doubting yourself. The recovery isn’t easy because lot of self doubts creep in. But she managed to do it, which was commendable. And to win the final round with all that pressure situation isn’t easy. She has earned it," Ramesh was quoted as saying to Puthiyathalaimurai by Indian Express.

Turning Point After Defeaning Blow

According to her coach, the turning point came after a disappointing outing at the Chennai Grand Masters event last year. That phase prompted R Vaishali to make significant adjustments to her preparation, particularly focusing on mental strength.

“After she finished bottom of the Chennai Grand Masters event, which I thought was her worst performance, she has changed a lot. She has been doing yoga and meditation since then. In chess, it is important to control the emotions. When you are under pressure, your mind has to respond in the best of ways. So to retain control in crunch moments, she indulged in yoga and meditation, which ultimately worked when it mattered the most. She also had sessions with psychologist to deal with pressure and expectations," Ramesh said.

Sibling Rivalry With The Edge

Ramesh also spoke about the challenges of growing up alongside her younger brother R Praggnanandhaa, one of India’s brightest chess talents.

“It is not easy when someone like Pragg is in the family and is doing well. There will always be comparisons. It is normal. It is important not to bring that into the chess board. Vaishali was always ahead of Pragg when they came here to train. Initially when Pragg overtook her, she did struggle a bit to cope up with it. She couldn’t accept it straightaway. But slowly she moved on and started focussing on her own game. Now, Pragg would face similar comparisons. You just have to deal with it," Ramesh added.

News sports chess Yoga And Meditation Helped R Vaishali On The Road To Candidates Glory: RB Ramesh Recalls

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