Women's Grand Prix starts in Dilijan

The second event of the FIDE Women's Grand Prix cycle 2013-2014 is taking place from June 16th to 28th in Dilijan, Armenia. Twelve players, with the average elo of 2505, are competing in a round robin tournament. The event is organized by the Armenian Chess Federation & FIDE. The Grand Prix cycle will produce the participants for the Women’s World Championship 2015.

Dilijan, Armenia

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Dilijan is a spa town in the Tavush Province and one of the most important resorts of Armenia, situated in Dilijan National Park. The forested and reclusive city is home to numerous Armenian artists, composers, and filmmakers and features some traditional Armenian architecture.

The Aghstev river with its tributaries gives peculiar charm to the general town landscape

The Sharambeyan street in the centre, has been preserved and maintained as an "old town," complete with craftsman's workshops, a gallery and a museum. The city's population is steadily declining from the 23,700 reported in 1989 to an estimated 15,600 in 2009, but the Armenian government is planning to turn Dilijan into a regional financial capital, beginning with the move of much of the Central Bank's operations to Dilijan in 2013. [Source: Wikipedia]

The participants

The Women's Grand Prix in Dilijan has nine grandmasters, one International Master and two women grandmasters, making it one of the strongest women events of all time. Dilijan also sees the participation of current Women's World Champion Anna Ushenina as well as former World Champion Antoaneta Stefanova. The average rating for the tournament is 2505. 

Opening ceremony

The grand opening of the Women's Grand Prix was attended by the Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan and FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, who in his speech expressed the hope that in the near future Dilijan will become a chess town "like our favorite resort town of Jermuk".

Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and Armenian GM and organiser Smbat Lputian

Tigran Sargsyan reminded the guests that "Chess has almost become a lifestyle in our country thanks to world champion Tigran Petrosian. This Grand Prix is just held under this aegis because exactly 50 years ago, Tigran Petrosian was crowned as the 9th world champion, fostering nationwide enthusiasm over common ideals."

The twelve participants in the FIDE Grand Prix at the opening ceremony – let's see if we can get them right: Viktorija Cmilyte, Harika Dronavalli, Nana Dzagnidze, Anna Ushenina, Olga Girya, Elina Danielian, Tatiana Kosintseva, Batchimeg Tuvshintugs, Koneru, Humpy, Bela Khotenashvili, Antoaneta Stefanova, Anna Muzychuk.

Spectacular presentation at the opening of the Women's Grand Prix

The drawing of lots was also conducted as a costumed presentation

Antoaneta Stefanova gets the start numer nine

The ceremony ends with celebratory fireworks on the stage

Round one report

The first round of the Women Grand Prix in Dilijan saw two decisive games:

Third seed GM Nana Dzagnidze, above right, outplayed bottom seed WGM Batchimeg Tuvshintugs

Nana Dzagnidze and Batchimeg Tuvshintugs in the press conference after the game

... while Tatiana Kosintseva of Russia (above right) defeated Bela Khotenashvili...

... after the Georgian IM (left) overlooked a clear win and later blundered a pawn

Indian GMs Harika Dronavalli and Koneru Humpy discuss their game in which Harika was pressing and missed clear wins

Replay all games of the round

Select games from the dropdown menu above the board

The playing hall of the Women's Grand Prix in Dilijan

Organisers and dignitaries in front of a Christian painting in the Grand Prix venue

The Armenian Apostolic Church is the world's oldest national church and one of the most ancient Christian communities. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its official religion in AD 301, and the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church claims to trace its origins to the missions of Apostles Bartholomew and Thaddeus in the 1st century.

Schedule and results

Links Official tournament site All games in PGN The games are being broadcast live on the official web site and on the chess server Playchess.com. If you are not a member you can download a free Playchess client there and get immediate access. You can also use ChessBase 12 or any of our Fritz compatible chess programs.