FIDE Women’s Grand Prix Heads to Austria for the Final Stage
The 2024/2025 FIDE Women’s Grand Prix is reaching its climax! Three top players are still in the race for the overall title as the final leg begins in Austria on May 6.
The journey started back in August 2024 in Tbilisi, Georgia. This was a perfect place to kick off the series because Georgia has a proud history of women’s chess champions. Legends like Nona Gaprindashvili put women’s chess on the world map, and Georgia continues to be a powerhouse today.
Since the Women’s Grand Prix began in 2009, it has created big opportunities for women players. With six events around the world and €600,000 in prize money, it’s not just a tournament—it’s a game-changer. The series also offers spots in the Women’s Candidates Tournament, which is a key step toward the World Championship.
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich shared his thoughts: “We’ve gone from simply supporting women’s chess to making it a top priority. The Women’s Grand Prix shows how far we’ve come, and we are proud to complete another successful series with this final event.”
What’s at Stake in Austria?
The final leg of the Grand Prix takes place in Grosslobming, Austria. This event will decide the overall winner and the top two players who qualify for the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament.
Aleksandra Goryachkina is currently in the lead with 308.34 points. Although she is not playing in Austria, her lead is strong. China’s Zhu Jiner (235 points) and Ukraine’s Anna Muzychuk (189.17 points) have a chance to catch up.
Zhu needs to finish in the top three to win the title. Anna Muzychuk has a tougher task—she must win first place outright to take the crown.
It won’t be easy! The field includes three former World Champions: Alexandra Kosteniuk, Tan Zhongyi, and Mariya Muzychuk.
The Full List of Players:
Player | Total WGP Points (Pre-Austria) |
|---|---|
| Zhu Jiner | 235 |
| Anna Muzychuk | 189.17 |
| Tan Zhongyi | 170 |
| Nana Dzagnidze | 121.67 |
| Mariya Muzychuk | 121.67 |
| Rameshbabu Vaishali | 85 |
| Alexandra Kosteniuk | 85 |
| Nurgyul Salimova | 70 |
| Olga Badelka | 25 |
| Lela Javakhishvili | 20 |
How We Got Here: Highlights from the Series
-
Tbilisi (August 2024): Alina Kashlinskaya won with 6 points. She was a last-minute replacement and made history by winning with her baby son by her side.
-
Shymkent (October 2024): Aleksandra Goryachkina dominated, winning with a round to spare.
-
Monaco (February 2025): Goryachkina won again, leading after a tight race with Batkhuyag Munguntuul and Koneru Humpy.
-
Cyprus (March 2025): Anna Muzychuk and Zhu Jiner shared first place, both scoring 6/9.
-
Pune (April 2025): Koneru Humpy edged out Zhu Jiner on tiebreaks to win the tournament.
About the Women’s Grand Prix
The FIDE Women’s Grand Prix is a key event in the international chess calendar. Each player competes in three of six tournaments. The top two players at the end qualify for the Women’s Candidates Tournament, which leads to a shot at the World Championship.
The 2024/2025 series has events in Georgia, Kazakhstan, Monaco, Cyprus, India, and Austria. The final event in Austria runs from May 5–15. Ten players will play a round-robin (9 rounds), with €120,000 in prize money.
For more details, visit: womengrandprix.fide.com
Photos: Anna Shtourman, Mark Livshitz, Niki Riga, FIDE_chess
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
