The untold journey of R. Vaishali through the eyes of coach R.B. Ramesh

by Sagar Shah - 18/04/2026

In the world of Indian chess, few stories are as cinematic as the rise of R. Vaishali. While the world watches her exploits, the man who has spent a decade molding her talent, GM R.B. Ramesh, provides an intimate look at the sacrifice, ethics, and the psychological sides of India’s newest Women’s World Championship Challenger, Vaishali R. Read the article to know more about not just the professional but also the personal side of this amazing champion.

The "Hero’s Entrance" in Cyprus

The atmosphere in Cyprus was electric as Vaishali stood on the verge of victory. In a move Ramesh himself compared to a classic film, he made a last-minute dash to be by her side. "In movies, usually the police come after the heroes have captured all the villains," Ramesh joked, "so I did some kind of an entrance like that". Arriving just as she was walking onto the stage, the emotional impact was immediate. Vaishali’s first words were, "I'm so glad my coach is here". For Ramesh, it wasn't just about the words, but the shared emotion of a decade-long journey reaching a crescendo.

The Foundations: 2014 and the daily Grind

Ramesh recalls meeting the family at an awards ceremony where he was to present a prize to a young Praggnanandhaa. Their father approached him about coaching both siblings, and Ramesh, seeing their potential and love for the game, immediately agreed. What followed was a grueling routine day after day. For years, the siblings and their father would travel 1 to 1.5 hours each way on a two-wheeler to reach Chess Gurukul.

Rameshbabu suffers from Polio. But that has not come in the way of providing everything that he could for his children's success!

The Routine: They would arrive by 8:30 a.m., have breakfast, attend classes from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and eat all three meals at the academy just to maximize training time.

No Excuses: Both Pragg and Vaishali have "tremendous work ethics," stating they never offered excuses like homework or exams. "If you say you have to work 10 hours a day, they'll say okay."

Honouring the First Mentor

Vaishali and Pragg's first trainer - Thiyagrajan

Ramesh is quick to point out that he didn't build this foundation. He gives immense credit to their first trainer, Thiyagrajan, for imbuing them with a "passion and work ethic" that are "out of this world". Ramesh believes Thiyagrajan has produced "gems" and deserves far more visibility for his contribution to Indian chess than what he gets right now.

The "Two Vaishalis" and the Pranesh Factor

One of the most fascinating insights Ramesh shares is the psychological duality of Vaishali’s play. He describes her as being at 60-70% of her potential, capable of "pure positional class"- citing her victory over Goryachkina - but also prone to simple mistakes.

Vaishali's amazing win over Aleksandra Goryachkina

Unlike the "poker-faced" image she presents, Ramesh reveals she is highly emotional and losses affect her deeply. To counter this during the intense Candidates tournament, Ramesh and Aarthie (Ramesh's better half) made a strategic "non-chess" move: bringing in GM Pranesh M. Knowing Pranesh’s casual and fun approach, Ramesh hoped he would keep the atmosphere "bright" and prevent Vaishali from dwelling on setbacks.

Nagalakshmi with Pranesh, the 19-year-old, who brought great energy and vibe to team Vaishali. Also in the picture are Pragg and GM Vaibhav Suri. | Photo: Michal Walusza/FIDE

Interview with M. Pranesh on his role in team Vaishali

A Legacy of Ethics

Beyond the board, Ramesh is most proud of Vaishali’s unwavering ethics. He recalls a specific anecdote where a person offered her helpful information that she shouldn't have had access to. Her response was immediate: "No, I should not be getting this information". In an era where many might take a "sideways" advantage, Ramesh describes her as "extremely ethical".

Innocence personified - Vaishali and her family

The "Golden Triangle": Trusting the Process

The success of the siblings is also a testament to the "Golden Triangle" of coach, player, and parents. Ramesh praises the parents of Pragg and Vaishali for their rare ability to "step back" and to trust the process. Unlike many modern parents who "panic" or "interfere" with opening choices and training decisions, Vaishali’s parents have never told Ramesh how he should teach. After Pragg did not win the FIDE Candidates in 2024, Ramesh felt bad that he couldn't help Pragg win the event. He decided to take a step back as a trainer, but Pragg's father insisted that he should continue. "He showed absolute trust on me!" says Ramesh.

Vaishali and Pragg have been blessed with amazing parents who have completely dedicated themselves to their chess career.

Dreaming of the Glass Cubicle

As Vaishali prepares to face five-time champion Ju Wenjun, she carries a childhood dream with her. She told Ramesh she is excited to finally play inside the "glass cubicle"- a sight she had marveled at since she was a young girl. While facing a seasoned champion will be a "tough challenge," Ramesh remains undeterred. He reveals a secret shared between himself and the siblings: "The three of us somehow... just know like it will happen". They have always shared a "blind" trust that both Vaishali and Praggnanandhaa will eventually stand as World Champions.