The city of Pune, India is preparing to host the fifth stage of the 2024-25 FIDE Women`s Grand Prix, scheduled from April 13th to 24th. This prestigious chess event is organized by the Maharashtra Chess Association and the International Chess Federation.
Ten of the world`s best female chess players will gather in Pune, all vying for qualification to the FIDE Women`s Candidates Tournament. With just two Grand Prix events remaining – this one in India and the subsequent one in Austria – the competition is intensifying as numerous players are still in contention for the coveted two qualifying positions.
Pune, formerly known as Poona, is a significant city in the state of Maharashtra, second only to Mumbai in size. It`s a major urban center in India, boasting a population exceeding seven million. Pune is historically rich, having been the center of power for the Peshwas, who served as Prime Ministers of the Maratha Empire during the 18th century. Today, Pune is considered one of India`s most desirable cities to live in and is also a thriving hub for the IT and automotive industries.
About the Tournament
The Women`s Grand Prix Series for 2024-25 includes 20 players in total. Each player participates in three out of the six planned tournaments. Each tournament follows a round-robin format with 10 players, where participants earn points based on their final ranking. The overall winner of the series is determined by the total points accumulated from their three tournament appearances.
The prize fund for each event is €80,000, with an additional €120,000 to be distributed among the top 10 finishers in the overall series standings.
The top two players in the overall series standings will qualify for the 2026 FIDE Women`s Candidates Tournament.
Candidates Qualification Race
After four of the five Grand Prix legs have been completed, Aleksandra Goryachkina is currently leading the series. Having already participated in her three assigned events, she has accumulated a total of 308 points.
Her impressive performances, including first-place finishes in both the Shymkent and Monaco legs, along with a strong shared third place in Cyprus, strongly suggest she is on track to qualify.
However, the second qualifying spot remains highly competitive, with several players still having a realistic chance. Five of these contenders will be competing in Pune.
Player Line-up
Chess in India is currently experiencing a boom, highlighted by the nation holding the Open World Championship title and securing two Olympic gold medals in Budapest. Reflecting this strength, all four of India`s leading female chess players – Humpy Koneru, Harika Dronavalli, Vaishali Rameshbabu, and Divya Deshmukh – are set to compete in Pune, all with their sights set on securing that second Candidates spot. India`s Olympic team stars are ready for action!
They will be joined by Zhu Jiner, who recently achieved a shared first place in Cyprus, and Alina Kashlinskaya, the winner of the Tbilisi tournament. Both players are serious contenders for qualification, having already earned over 100 points in their first events.
Nurgyul Salimova will also participate in the Pune event, aiming to improve upon her eighth-place finish in Shymkent and prepare for the final tournament in Austria.
Batkhuyag Munguntuul is returning to the series for her third event. After sharing first place in Monaco, she has an outside chance of qualifying if she achieves an exceptional result in Pune.
Finally, Salome Melia and Polina Shuvalova will be making their first appearances in the 2024-205 season, replacing Lela Javakhishvili and Kateryna Lagno, who have withdrawn from the event. Shuvalova, known for her aggressive and exciting play, was a standout player in the previous Grand Prix cycle.
Venue Information
The tournament will be held at the Amanora The Fern Hotel, situated in Amanora Park. Its location offers convenient access to key landmarks and business areas.
The hotel`s central position makes it ideal for both business and leisure travelers, and it features extensive meeting and event facilities capable of accommodating up to 600 people.
Fans can follow the games live with expert commentary and find daily reports, exciting videos, and photos on womengrandprix.fide.com.
Elton Marrow