Koneru Humpy wins Pune GP, Divya Deshmukh third

by Shahid Ahmed - 24/04/2025

GM Koneru Humpy defeated IM Nurgyul Salimova (BUL) in the final round to win FIDE Pune GP. Her rival, GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) also won her game against IM Polina Shuvalova. Both Humpy and Jiner scored 7/9 each, Humpy won the tournament due to better tie-break scores, Jiner finished second. IM Divya Deshmukh drew with IM Alina Kashlinskaya (POL) to finish third 5.5/7. Humpy gained 117.5 points to move up to the second spot with 279.17. Jiner is close behind at 235. Humpy will need to hope that Jiner does not surpass her in GP points at the last GP event of the season next month, so that Humpy can qualify to the next Women's Candidates via GP. 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 Grosslobming, Austria from 5th to 16th May 2025. Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Humpy and Jiner both win their last round games

Champion - GM Koneru Humpy 7/9 | Photo: Shahid Ahmed

GM Koneru Humpy - GM Jiner Zhu, Commentary by IM Sagar Shah | Video: ChessBase India

Runner-up - GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) 7/9 | Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Second Runner-up - IM Divya Deshmukh 5.5/9

Top 3 (L to R): 2nd GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) 7/9, 1st GM Koneru Humpy 7/9 and 3rd IM Divya Deshmukh 5.5/9 | Photo: Shahid Ahmed

Humpy - Nurgyul: 1-0

GM Koneru Humpy (2528) played three Classical rated games against IM Nurgyul Salimova (BUL, 2402). She lost the first one and won the next two. This time she was in a virtual must-win situation. Salimova went wrong early in the game when her king was stranded in the middle of the board.

Position after 18...Bd6?

19.e4 Qe7 20.exd5 exd5 21.Qd3 Qf6 22.Re1+ soon she gained a pawn and went on to convert her advantage into a win.

Interview with GM Koneru Humpy and GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) | Video: FIDE

GM Koneru Humpy en route her win against IM Nurgyul Salimova (BUL) and the tournament triumph | Photo: Anmol Bhargav

IM Divya Deshmukh - IM Alina Kashlinskaya (POL): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: Anmol Bhargav

GM R Vaishali - IM Melia Salome (GEO): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: Anmol Bhargav

GM Harika Dronavalli - IM Batkhuyag Munguntuul (MGL): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: Anmol Bhargav

IM Polina Shuvalova - GM Jiner Zhu (CHN): 1-0 | Photo: Anmol Bhargav

For more Round 9, Prize distribution ceremony photos - part 1 and 2, please click at the respective links.

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. 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 next GP in Austria next month.

GM Koneru Humpy climbed up to second place with 279.17 points | Source: Official site

Replay live stream

Replay Round 9 live commentary by IM Rakesh Kulkarni and CM Sahil Tickoo | Video: FIDE

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

The tournament will take place from 14th to 23rd April 2025. Sole rest day is on Saturday 19th April.

Round 9 results

Bo.	No.	Rtg		White	Result		Black	Rtg	No.	PGN
1	5	2484	GM	Vaishali, Rameshbabu	½ - ½	IM	Melia, Salome	2293	10	PGN
2	6	2528	GM	Koneru, Humpy	1 - 0	IM	Salimova, Nurgyul	2402	4	PGN
3	7	2460	IM	Divya, Deshmukh	½ - ½	IM	Kashlinskaya, Alina	2496	3	PGN
4	8	2500	IM	Shuvalova, Polina	0 - 1	GM	Zhu, Jiner	2525	2	PGN
5	9	2488	GM	Dronavalli, Harika	½ - ½	IM	Batkhuyag, Munguntuul	2361	1	PGN

Details

Final standings

Rk.	SNo		Name	FED	Rtg	Pts.	TB1	TB2	TB3
1	6	GM	Koneru, Humpy	IND	2528	7	5	30,75	5
2	2	GM	Zhu, Jiner	CHN	2525	7	4	27,75	6
3	7	IM	Divya, Deshmukh	IND	2460	5,5	5	19,50	4
4	9	GM	Dronavalli, Harika	IND	2488	4,5	5	18,50	1
5	8	IM	Shuvalova, Polina	FID	2500	4,5	5	16,25	2
6	5	GM	Vaishali, Rameshbabu	IND	2484	4	4	15,75	1
7	4	IM	Salimova, Nurgyul	BUL	2402	3,5	4	13,75	1
8	10	IM	Melia, Salome	GEO	2293	3	5	14,50	0
9	3	IM	Kashlinskaya, Alina	POL	2496	3	4	13,75	0
10	1	IM	Batkhuyag, Munguntuul	MGL	2361	3	4	10,50	2