5th Leg of FIDE Women’s Grand Prix Chess Tournament begins in Pune from April 14
Pune, 12th April 2025: The fifth leg of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix Chess Tournament will take place in Pune from April 14 to 24, hosted by the Maharashtra Chess Association. The prestigious tournament will be held at Amanora – The Fern, featuring top international women chess players.
India’s challenge will be led by GM Koneru Humpy, GM Harika Dronavalli, GM Vaishali R, and IM Divya Deshmukh, who enters via a wildcard. Divya, hailing from Nagpur, is currently the world’s top-ranked junior girl.
In the opening round, Koneru Humpy will face Vaishali R in an all-Indian clash, Harika Dronavalli takes on China’s GM Zhu Jiner, and Divya Deshmukh plays against Bulgaria’s IM Salimova Nurgyul. Other matches will feature players from Poland, Russia, Mongolia, and Georgia.
This Grand Prix leg follows earlier editions held in Georgia, Kazakhstan, Monaco, and Cyprus, with the final two stages hosted in India and Australia. A total of 14 players have qualified based on prior performance, with 6 wildcards included.
This round-robin tournament features 9 rounds and has an average player rating of 2454, making it a key qualifier for the FIDE Candidates Tournament. Mr. Ivan Syrov has been appointed Chief Arbiter for this event, while Deepti Shidore as Deputy Chief Arbiter and Arbiter Margaret Broko has been appointed
The tournament will be inaugurated by Dr. Medha Kulkarni, Member of Parliament Rajyasabha and MCA President Dr. Parinay Fuke, President, Maharashtra Chess Association along with other dignitaries. Mr.Siddharth Mayur, Working President, Maharashtra Chess Association, Anniruddha Deshpande, Vice President, Maharashtra Chess Association, Niranjan Godbole, Secretary of MCA and GM Abhijit Kunte were present on the occasion.
