Stellar lineup at Women's Grand Prix in Nicosia

Press release by FIDE

The fourth leg of the 2024-25 FIDE Women's Grand Prix is set to take place in Nicosia, Cyprus, from March 14-25, under the auspices of the International Chess Federation and the Cyprus Chess Federation. This event brings the tournament series to the idyllic Mediterranean setting, where ten of the world's leading female players will gather in the capital city to battle not only for prizes but also for the critical Grand Prix points that will determine qualification for the next FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament.

About the event

The Women's Grand Prix Series 2024–25 features 20 players, with each player participating in three of the six tournaments. Each event is a 10-player round-robin, where participants earn points based on their final standings. The series winner is determined by the total cumulative points earned across all three tournaments played.

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• Prize Fund: €80,000 per event, with an additional €120,000 distributed among the top 10 finishers in the overall standings.
• Qualification: The top two players from the series will qualify for the 2026 FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament.

The event boasts a stellar lineup, including Aleksandra Goryachkina, who leads the Grand Prix standings after consecutively winning the second and third legs in Shymkent and Monaco. Also returning are Indian stars Harika Dronavalli and Divya Deshmukh, and the celebrated Muzychuk sisters, Anna and Mariya. Also competing are former European Champion Nana Dzagnidze, German No. 1 Elisabeth Paehtz, Greece's top player Stavroula Tsolakidou and this season's newcomers, Zhu Jiner and Olga Badelka, who replace Lei Tingjie and Regina Theissl-Pokorna in the series.

After three out of four legs completed, Aleksandra Goryachkina leads the Grand Prix standings, having secured first place in both the Shymkent and Monaco legs. This is her final opportunity to accumulate points.

FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich emphasized the importance of the Grand Prix series as a dedication to advancing women's chess, stating:

This tournament not only showcases the exceptional talents of the women's elite in chess but also reinforces our commitment to promoting chess globally. Creating a strong women chess community is very important for us to continue pursuing our goals and representing the interests of women in chess. We look forward to witnessing high-level chess in Cyprus.

Venue

Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, will provide a picturesque backdrop for this prestigious event. Participants can look forward to experiencing the city's unique culture, historic sites and Mediterranean charm. Nicosia is also the largest city in Cyprus and has established itself as the island's financial capital and its main international business centre.

Schedule and round-1 pairings

The first round is scheduled for 15 March at 15:00 Eastern European Time, with the pairings already out. To ensure fair play, players from the same countries are paired in the first round, setting the stage for intense matchups from the outset:​

• Aleksandra Goryachkina vs. Nana​ Dzagnidze
• Anna Muzychuk vs. Mariya Muzychuk ​
• Divya Deshmukh vs. Harika​ Dronavalli
• Stavroula Tsolakidou vs. Elisabeth Paehtz ​
• Zhu Jiner vs. Olga Badelka

Full pairings (PDF)

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Timur Turlov, CEO of Freedom Holding Corp., expressed his support for the event, stating:

We value chess not only for its intellectual depth and versatility, but also for the opportunity for everyone to show their strength at the board, regardless of gender and age. Today, women are increasingly confident and brightly declaring themselves in the chess world, demonstrating exceptional willpower, strategic thinking, and strength of character. They break stereotypes and prove that chess is a unique space for self-expression. Freedom Holding Corp., as one of the largest sponsors of the chess movement, is proud to support this inspiring trend. We believe in the power of women’s skill and will follow the fourth stage of the World Grand Prix with interest.

Evgenii Tiapkin, Executive Director at Freedom24, reaffirmed the company's commitment to promoting chess in Cyprus, stating:

On the eve of the fourth stage of the FIDE Women's Grand Prix in Nicosia, supported by Freedom24, we reaffirm our commitment to promoting chess in Cyprus through our partnership with the Cyprus Chess Federation. Chess cultivates strategic thinking and resilience, qualities that are invaluable both in sports and in life. As part of our long-term dedication, I am pleased to announce the upcoming opening of the Freedom Chess Academy in Limassol, aimed at nurturing future champions and promoting the game within local communities.

For more information and live updates, visit the official website. You can follow the games with expert commentary by GM Alik Gershon and WGM Anastasia Karlovich, and read daily reports written by press officer Michael Rahal.

Trailer

Links

• Official website
• Alina Kashlinskaya victorious in Tbilisi after scoring back-to-back wins
• Goryachkina scores 7/9, obtains convincing victory in Shymkent
• Goryachkina wins Monaco GP on tiebreaks, ahead of Humpy and Munguntuul