Vishy Anand Praises Vaishali for Winning Bronze at World Blitz Championship
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New Delhi, Jan 1 (NationPress) Indian chess talent R Vaishali achieved a significant milestone in 2024, securing a bronze medal in the women’s category of the World Blitz Championship on Wednesday.
Vaishali's path in the tournament featured a quarterfinal victory against China's Zhu Jiner and a closely contested semifinal match against Ju Wenjun, the ultimate champion.
Throughout the championship, Vaishali demonstrated exceptional strategy. In the quarterfinals, she skillfully outmaneuvered Zhu Jiner in a nail-biting 2.5-1.5 victory, earning her spot among the world’s best. However, her quest for gold concluded in the semifinals, where she faced the challenging Ju Wenjun from China.
Despite her relentless efforts, Vaishali was defeated 0.5-2.5 by Ju, who later seized the world title with a thrilling 3.5-2.5 win over fellow countrywoman Lei Tingjie in the final.
Vaishali’s accomplishment received glowing commendation from Indian chess icon and five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, who is currently the Vice President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
“Congratulations to Vaishali for earning bronze. Her qualification was indeed a power-packed performance. Our Waca Chess mentee (WestBridge Anand Chess Academy) has made us proud. We are thrilled to support her and her chess journey,” Anand expressed on X.
He also praised Koneru Humpy for her victory in the rapid event, stating, “What a remarkable way to conclude 2024. In 2021, we anticipated stronger chess players, and here we are: a World Champion (Humpy) and a Bronze medallist (Vaishali)!” Anand remarked.
The women’s division of the World Blitz Championship was largely dominated by Chinese competitors, with Ju Wenjun and Lei Tingjie facing off in the final. Ju, known for her tactical prowess, narrowly defeated Lei to claim the championship.
The 'Open' section of the World Blitz Championship concluded with intense drama, as Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi shared the Open title following a gripping tiebreak match.
Carlsen began the day with an early defeat to Hans Niemann but rebounded to overcome him and outpace Jan-Krzystof Duda to reach the finals. Meanwhile, Ian Nepomniachtchi displayed strength and determination, defeating the newly crowned Rapid Champion Volodar Murzin and surviving a tense semifinal tiebreak against Wesley So.
In the final, Carlsen appeared poised for victory after establishing a 2-0 lead in a four-game match. However, Nepomniachtchi mounted an impressive comeback, winning the next two games, thus leveling the score. The ensuing tiebreaks featured three intense, exhausting clashes, with neither participant able to secure a decisive advantage as the score stood at 3.5-3.5.
