Vaishali Rameshbabu, a 24-year-old Indian grandmaster, has emerged as the sole leader in the Women’s Candidates tournament held in Cyprus, following her draw against Anna Muzychuk and a series of successful games. With six points, she is half a point ahead of her nearest rivals, Muzychuk and Zhu Jiner. Vaishali's recent success is attributed to her collaboration with a psychologist, a rare move among elite grandmasters, which has helped her maintain a fighting mental state. Previously, she struggled in the 2024 Candidates, finishing last after a series of losses. This time, she adopted a different strategy by limiting her participation in events leading up to the tournament, focusing instead on training games and mental preparation. Her current unbeaten streak of five games showcases her improved performance and resilience, positioning her favorably as she approaches the final rounds of the tournament.