Anna Muzychuk wins Nicosia GP, Harika Dronavalli third

by Shahid Ahmed - 25/03/2025

GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) drew with GM Harika Dronavalli to win FIDE Nicosia GP 2025. In the post-game interview, she mentioned that two results needed to go her way. GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) needed to draw with GM Nana Dzagnidze (GEO) and IM Olga Badelka (AUT) also had to have a draw against IM Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE), for tie-breaks to go in her favor. It did. Jiner secured second place and Harika third. Both Anna and Jiner finished a full point ahead of the rest. GM Aleksandra Goryachkina is currently at the top of the GP standings with 308.34 points. Anna climbed to the third spot with 189.17 points after winning this event. She still has one more tournament to go in May. The total prize fund was €80000. The top three prizes were €18000, €13000 and €10500 along with a trophy and medal each. The next leg is in Pune from 13th to 23rd April. Photo: FIDE

Anna moves up to the third spot in the GP

"Yes it's wonderful. I am really glad that I managed to win the tournament. Today I was talking to my colleagues and friends that the last time I shared first place was 13 years ago. So this win is indeed very special for me. That's why I would like to thank this place Nicosia, Cyprus, the organizer, the sponsors for creating good conditions for the players and of course everyone who helped me to achieve it." - GM Anna Muzychuk on winning Nicosia GP.

Champion - GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) 6/9 | Photo: FIDE

Interview with GM Anna Muzychuk | Video: FIDE

Runner-up - GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) 6/9 | Photo: FIDE

Second Runner-up - GM Harika Dronavalli 5/9 | Photo: FIDE

Top 3 (L to R): 2nd GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) 6/9, 1st GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) 6/9 and 3rd GM Harika Dronavalli 5/9 | Photo: FIDE

GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR, 2516) drew with GM Harika Dronvalli (2483) comfortably to become the champion.

GM Anna Muzychuk next to her sister GM Mariya Muzychuk and compatriot WGM Anastasia Karlovich | Photo: FIDE

Group photo | Photo: FIDE

Replay live stream

Replay Round 9 live commentary by GM Alik Gershon (ISR) and WGM Anastasiya Karlovich (UKR) | Video: FIDE

GP Standings

GM Aleksandra Goryachkina maintains her sole lead of the GP with 308.34 points, followed by IM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) 197.5. Bibisara has played all three of her GP events of the season. So, she has none left. GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) climbed up to the third place with 189.17 points after winning Nicosia GP. She still has one more tournament to go, so she has chances to finish in top two and earn a place in the Women's Candidates.

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.

Schedule

Round 1 started on 15th March at 3 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. The tournament concluded on 24th March 2025. Sole rest day was on Thursday 20th March.

Replay Round 9 games

Round 9 results

Bo.	No.	Rtg		White	Result		Black	Rtg	No.	PGN
1	5	2514	GM	ZHU, JINER	½ - ½	GM	DZAGNIDZE, NANA	2513	10
2	6	2429	IM	BADELKA, OLGA	½ - ½	IM	TSOLAKIDOU, STAVROULA	2445	4
3	7	2424	GM	PAEHTZ, ELISABETH	½ - ½	IM	DIVYA, DESHMUKH	2470	3
4	8	2483	GM	DRONAVALLI, HARIKA	½ - ½	GM	MUZYCHUK, ANNA	2516	2
5	9	2490	GM	MUZYCHUK, MARIYA	½ - ½	GM	GORYACHKINA, ALEKSANDRA	2548	1

Details

Final standings

Rk.	SNo		Name	FED	Rtg	Pts.	TB1	TB2	TB3
1	2	GM	MUZYCHUK, ANNA	UKR	2516	6	4	25,00	4
2	5	GM	ZHU, JINER	CHN	2514	6	4	24,50	3
3	8	GM	DRONAVALLI, HARIKA	IND	2483	5	5	22,75	2
4	9	GM	MUZYCHUK, MARIYA	UKR	2490	5	5	21,25	1
5	1	GM	GORYACHKINA, ALEKSANDRA	FID	2548	5	4	21,75	1
6	10	GM	DZAGNIDZE, NANA	GEO	2513	4,5	5	17,75	2
7	3	IM	DIVYA, DESHMUKH	IND	2470	4	4	16,25	1
8	6	IM	BADELKA, OLGA	AUT	2429	3,5	5	16,25	1
9	4	IM	TSOLAKIDOU, STAVROULA	GRE	2445	3,5	4	14,25	1
10	7	GM	PAEHTZ, ELISABETH	GER	2424	2,5	5	11,25	1