There is a certain calmness about R. Vaishali. That is evident in her voice, coming through clearly over the phone, from Cyprus, some more than 5,000 kms away.

You could also sense some joy in her voice. You would understand if she chose to scream with delight: after all, she became the first Indian to win the Women’s Candidates chess tournament just a couple of days ago and thus qualified for the World title match against Ju Wenjun of China.