Vaishali set to face World's top Women at FIDE Grosslobming GP

by Shahid Ahmed - 06/05/2025

The sixth and final leg of the FIDE Women's Grand Prix 2024-25 starts today in Grosslobming, Austria. GM R Vaishali will be the sole Indian taking part in this event. The ten-player round-robin tournament will also feature GM Jiner Zhu (CHN), GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN), GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR), GM Nana Dzagnidze (GEO), GM Mariya Muzychuk (UKR) , GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI), IM Lela Javakhishvili (GEO) IM Olga Badelka (AUT) and IM Nurgyul Salimova (BUL). Jiner is the highest rated player of the event. Vaishali will face Nurgyul in the first round. It starts today at 3 p.m local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Przemysław Nikiel

Vaishali will face Salimova in Round 1

The sixth leg of the FIDE Women's Grand Prix 2024-25 series starts today in Grosslobming, Austria. Ten top women of the world will fight for the first prize €18000 and last few valuable GP points which adds up to the direct qualification to FIDE Women's Candidates 2026. The total prize fund of the tournament is €80000. This leg will not only determine the winner of this GP but also find the top two finishers who will earn a spot in the Women's Candidates. Each GP participant can only play three out of the six legs.

Participants of FIDE Grosslobming GP 2025 | Photo: FIDE/Przemysław Nikiel

Players list

No.		Name	FideID	FED	Rtg
4	GM	Zhu, Jiner	8608059	CHN	2541
7	GM	Tan, Zhongyi	8603642	CHN	2536
8	GM	Muzychuk, Anna	14111330	UKR	2526
10	GM	Dzagnidze, Nana	13601903	GEO	2509
3	GM	Muzychuk, Mariya	14114550	UKR	2494
6	GM	Kosteniuk, Alexandra	4128125	SUI	2479
2	GM	Vaishali, Rameshbabu	5091756	IND	2475
1	IM	Javakhishvili, Lela	13601458	GEO	2430
5	IM	Badelka, Olga	13509926	AUT	2426
9	IM	Salimova, Nurgyul	2915138	BUL	2399

Details

Players with the officials | Photo: FIDE/Przemysław Nikiel

Michael Stöttinger, President, Austrian Chess Federation addressing the gathering | Photo: FIDE/Przemysław Nikiel

A musical performance at the opening ceremony | Photo: FIDE/Przemysław Nikiel

The melody of saxophone is always enchanting | Photo: FIDE/Przemysław Nikiel

The venue of the opening ceremony was on the grounds of a small castle | Photo: FIDE/Przemysław Nikiel

FIDE Grosslobming GP preview | Video: FIDE

GP Standings

GM Aleksandra Goryachkina is still at the top spot 308.34. She is guaranteed a spot at the next Candidates as only GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) can surpass her. She is at 235 points. After winning Pune GP, GM Koneru Humpy moved up to the second spot with 279.17 points. She needs to hope that Jiner does not surpass her in GP points at the Grosslobming GP.

GM Aleksandra Goryachkina is at the top of the standings with 308.34 points | Source: Official site

Prizes

Total prize fund is €80000. The top three prizes are €18000, €13000 and €10500 each. The top three GP points are - 130, 105 and 85. For more details, check out the regulations below.

Pairings

Round 1 starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. The tournament will go on till 15th May 2025. Sole rest day is on Monday 12th April.

Bo.	No.	Rtg		White	Result		Black	Rtg	No.
1	1	2430	IM	Javakhishvili, Lela		GM	Dzagnidze, Nana	2509	10
2	2	2475	GM	Vaishali, Rameshbabu		IM	Salimova, Nurgyul	2399	9
3	3	2494	GM	Muzychuk, Mariya		GM	Muzychuk, Anna	2526	8
4	4	2541	GM	Zhu, Jiner		GM	Tan, Zhongyi	2536	7
5	5	2426	IM	Badelka, Olga		GM	Kosteniuk, Alexandra	2479	6