Salome Melia to replace Lela Javakhishvili in Women's GP India

by ChessBase
3/10/2025 – IM Salome Melia will replace IM Lela Javakhishvili in the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix India after the latter’s withdrawal for personal reasons. Born in Batumi, Georgia, Melia is a two-time European Under-18 Girls Champion and has won multiple medals at the Women’s European Individual Chess Championship. A two-time Georgian Women’s Champion, she has represented her country in several Chess Olympiads. | Photo: Anna Shtourman

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Press release by FIDE

IM Lela Javakhishvili, Georgia's nominee, has withdrawn from the FIDE Women's Grand Prix India for personal reasons. In accordance with WGP regulations, she will be replaced by IM Salome Melia, who is now set to compete in the fifth leg of the series.

A native of Batumi, Georgia, Melia won the European Under-18 Girls Championship twice, in 2004 and 2005. She also claimed silver at the Women's European Individual Chess Championship in 2013 and bronze in 2014. A two-time Georgian Women's Champion (2008 and 2010), she has represented her country in multiple Chess Olympiads, including the 45th edition in Budapest. Additionally, she was a member of the gold medal-winning Georgian team at the 2015 Women's World Team Chess Championship in Chengdu.

The fifth leg of the FIDE WGP 2024–25 will take place in India from April 13 to 24, with Salome Melia replacing Lela Javakhishvili in the draw. The full pairings can be found below:

FIDE Women's Grand Prix India 2025 Pairings (PDF)

Georgia, Chess

Georgian women players and friends at the 2018 "Lela and Bela Cup"

All games - Women's GP Monaco

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