R. Vaishali’s rise as a challenger for the World title is an important moment for Indian women’s chess, according to the legendary Viswanathan Anand.

He gave her a reasonable chance in the World Championship match against China’s Ju Wenjun.

“Already, the fact that she’s a challenger again after so many years without Koneru Humpy is very good news for Indian women’s chess. And obviously if she wins, that will be magnified,” Anand said on the sidelines of an SJFI event, where he was honoured on Wednesday.

Further, the five-time World champion said Ju remained a formidable opponent, but felt motivation could become a factor.

“I would still say Ju Wenjun is very strong, but already it’ll be what, six years or seven years, since she became the World champion... I think it’s going to be harder for her to motivate herself. I think it is much easier for Vaishali to do so. So, I think her chances are quite reasonable.”

With regard to the title match between the reigning champion D. Gukesh and challenger Javokhir Sindarov, Anand said it has given the India-Uzbekistan rivalry a sharper focus beyond the Olympiad.

India would be defending titles in the Open and women’s sections at the forthcoming Olympiad, and Anand said Uzbekistan, apart from China and the USA, would be the ones to watch out for.

He also said the key for Gukesh would be to return to the simple demands of playing strong chess, rather than getting caught up in the noise around being the World champion.