Vaishali vs. Cho Jenner (Photo by Nikki Riga/Video)
New Delhi: R Vaishali not only created history by winning the 2026 Women’s Candidates Championship with a score of 8.5/14 points, but also bagged a huge cash reward for her impressive performance.
By coming in first place, Vaishali secured the winner’s prize of €28,000, marking one of the biggest paydays of her career to date.However, the profits do not stop there. The tournament follows a structure in which players are rewarded additionally based on their performance in each round.
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For every half point scored, participants receive 2,200 euros. Due to Vaishali’s steady progress across 14 rounds, featuring a mix of decisive wins and tough draws, her total prize money sees a significant increase beyond the base amount.This combined figure includes both the winner’s purse and accumulated performance bonuses, underscoring the value of consistency in such a long and demanding tournament.Beyond the immediate financial gains, the biggest reward lies in what comes next. Vaishali’s victory earned her a place in the Women’s World Chess Championship match against defending champion Ju Wenjun. This highly anticipated feud not only offers a chance to compete for the world title, but also promises bigger prize money and global recognition.
Read also: ‘Javokhir Sindarov was a bit lucky’: Germany’s No. 1 Vincent Kemmer in ‘critical moment’ in 2026 candidates win | ExclusiveFor Vaishali, the nominees’ victory represents a milestone in her career and a stepping stone. While the prize money reflects her success in Cyprus, the opportunity could raise her profile further on the world stage, making this win even more valuable in the long term.