The Untold Journey of R. Vaishali – A Story of Hard Work, Emotion, and Belief

In Indian chess, the rise of R. Vaishali is nothing short of inspiring. While the world celebrates her success, her coach GM R.B. Ramesh shares a deeper story. It is a story of sacrifice, discipline, and strong character.

This journey is not just about winning games. It is also about building a champion from within.

A Hero’s Moment in Cyprus

The atmosphere in Cyprus was full of excitement. Vaishali was very close to victory. At that moment, R.B. Ramesh made a dramatic last-minute arrival. He compared it to a movie scene. He joked that in films, heroes arrive after everything is done—and he did something similar.

He reached just as Vaishali walked onto the stage. Her first reaction was emotional. She said, “I’m so glad my coach is here.” For Ramesh, this moment meant more than words. It reflected ten years of hard work finally paying off.

The Beginning: A Strong Foundation

The journey started in 2014. Ramesh first met the family at an awards function. He was presenting a prize to young Praggnanandhaa. Their father approached him for coaching both children.

Ramesh immediately saw their passion and agreed. What followed was years of intense training.

• The family travelled 1 to 1.5 hours daily on a two-wheeler
• They reached the academy early morning
• Training lasted from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• They even had all meals at the academy to save time

This routine continued for years. Despite challenges, including their father’s physical condition due to polio, the family never gave up.

Discipline Without Excuses

Vaishali and Praggnanandhaa showed incredible dedication. They never gave excuses like schoolwork or exams.

If asked to train for 10 hours, they simply agreed and did it. Their work ethic stood out from the very beginning.

Respect for the First Coach

R.B. Ramesh gives full credit to their first coach, Thiyagrajan. He believes Thiyagrajan built their foundation. He taught them passion and discipline.

According to Ramesh, this early training played a huge role in their success. He also feels Thiyagrajan deserves more recognition in Indian chess.

The Two Sides of Vaishali

Ramesh describes Vaishali as a player with two sides. At her best, she shows world-class positional play. Her win against Aleksandra Goryachkina is a great example.

But sometimes, she makes simple mistakes. Off the board, she is very emotional. Losses affect her deeply. To help her during the Candidates Tournament, Ramesh made an unusual decision.

He brought in GM Pranesh M. Pranesh’s fun and relaxed nature helped lighten the mood. This prevented Vaishali from overthinking losses and kept her mentally fresh.

Strong Values and Ethics

One of Vaishali’s biggest strengths is her honesty. Ramesh recalls an incident where someone offered her unfair information. She refused immediately. She said she should not receive such help.

In today’s competitive world, this level of integrity is rare. Ramesh is extremely proud of her ethics.

The Golden Triangle of Success

Vaishali’s success is also due to strong support from her parents. Ramesh calls it the “Golden Triangle” – coach, player, and parents. Her parents trusted the process completely. They never interfered in training decisions.

Even after setbacks, they continued to support Ramesh. This trust created a healthy environment for growth.

A Dream of Becoming World Champion

Vaishali is now preparing to face five-time Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun. This will be a tough challenge. But Vaishali carries a childhood dream with her. She always wanted to play inside the famous “glass cubicle.”

Now, that dream is becoming reality. Ramesh shares a powerful belief. He says that he, Vaishali, and Praggnanandhaa have always trusted one thing. They believe both siblings will become World Champions one day.

Conclusion

R. Vaishali’s journey is not just about talent. It is about discipline, sacrifice, strong values, and belief. Behind every great player is a great team. In Vaishali’s case, it is her coach, her family, and her mindset. Her story is a true inspiration for every young chess player.