FIDE Women’s Grand Prix Heads to Pune, India
The 5th leg of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix 2024-25 is coming to Pune, India, from April 13 to April 24. The event is organized by the Maharashtra Chess Association and the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
Ten of the world’s best women chess players will battle it out to earn a spot in the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026. With only two tournaments left – India and Austria – the race is heating up!
Why Pune?
Pune, once called Poona, is the second-largest city in Maharashtra after Mumbai. It has over 7 million people and ranks as the 7th most populated metro city in India.
It has a rich history and was the capital of the Maratha Empire during the 18th century. Today, it’s known as a major hub for IT and automobiles, and is often listed as one of the most livable cities in India.
About the Grand Prix Series
The FIDE Women’s Grand Prix 2024–25 includes 20 top players, each competing in three of six total events.
Each tournament has 10 players in a round-robin format. Players earn points based on how they finish in each event.
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Prize Fund: €80,000 per event
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Bonus Prize: €120,000 for the overall top 10
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Goal: The top two players in total points will qualify for the 2026 Candidates Tournament
Who’s Leading?
After four legs, Aleksandra Goryachkina is leading the Grand Prix standings. She is at the top of the standings with 308 points. She has already played her three tournaments, winning in Shymkent and Monaco, and finishing strong in Cyprus.
But the second qualifying spot is still wide open. Several strong players will be fighting for it in Pune.
Meet the Players in Pune
India’s chess scene is booming! After winning double Olympic gold and holding the Men’s World Champion title, all eyes are now on the women’s team.
Four top Indian stars will compete:
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Koneru Humpy
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Dronavalli Harika
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R Vaishali
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Divya Deshmukh
They’re joined by:
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Zhu Jiner – Shared 1st in Cyprus
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Alina Kashlinskaya – Winner of the Tbilisi leg
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Nurgyul Salimova – Looking to improve after Shymkent
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Batkhuyag Munguntuul – Shared 1st in Monaco, back for her third event
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Salome Melia and Polina Shuvalova – Making their first appearance this season. Shuvalova, in particular, is known for her bold and exciting play.
Venue: Amanora The Fern Hotel
The tournament will be held at Amanora The Fern Hotel in Amanora Park, Pune. It’s centrally located with easy access to key landmarks and business areas. The hotel offers modern meeting and banquet spaces for up to 600 guests.
First Round Pairings – April 14, 3:00 PM (IST)
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Munguntuul Batkhuyag vs Salome Melia
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Zhu Jiner vs Dronavalli Harika
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Alina Kashlinskaya vs Polina Shuvalova
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Nurgyul Salimova vs Divya Deshmukh
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R Vaishali vs Koneru Humpy
Watch Live!
Follow the games live with expert commentary, videos, and daily updates at:
🔗 womengrandprix.fide.com
Photos: FIDE_chess
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
