Attention FIDE World Cup participants
Dear chess friends, Next week the Organizing Committee expects the final confirmation from the Russian Foreign Ministry on visa support for the participants of the World Cup. In order to collect and process the necessary information, the World Cup ?????? ???????????? ?????? will be launched next week. Those participants (players and accompanying persons) who need an Entry Visa to Russia will be provided with ???? ?????????? ??????? (ENG and RUS). These letters are mandatory to obtain an Entry Visa in the Russian Consulates in participants’ home countries or abroad. The Visa Invitation Letter will be available for downloading from the System after a participant is accredited by the Registration Manager. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, those Non-Russian citizens who don’t need an Entry Visa to Russia, still need to provide a passport copy and passport details through the System to be able to enter the Russian Federation.
Women’s World Cup: List of qualified players
The list of participants of the FIDE Women’s World Cup, scheduled for July 2021, has nearly shaped up. Canada is the only remaining federation to run qualifiers in early June. World Championship 2018 (4) 1. GM Ju Wenjun (CHN)2. GM Kateryna Lagno (RUS)3. GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (RUS)4. GM Mariya Muzychuk (UKR) https://ugra2018.fide.com/pairings/ U-20 (2) 2018 – WGM Aleksandra Maltsevskaya (RUS) http://wjcc2018.tsf.org.tr/en/component/turnuva/?task=fileview&kid=978 2019 – WGM Polina Shuvalova (RUS) http://chess-results.com/tnr479944.aspx?lan=20&art=1&rd=11&flag=30 Average Rating (5) 1. GM Hou Yifan (CHN)2. GM Humpy Koneru (IND)3. GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR)4. GM Harika Dronavalli (IND)5. GM Tan Zhongyi (CHN) Continental – Africa (3) 2019 1.WGM Shrook Wafa (EGY)2.WIM Sabrina Latreche (ALG)3. WIM Ayah Moaataz (EGY) Continental – Americas (8) 2018 WGM Deysi Cori (PER) 2019 WIM Maili-Jade Ouellet (CAN) Zone 2.1: 1. WGM Jennifer Yu (USA)2. WGM Tatev Abrahamyan (USA) Zone 2.3: WIM Yerisbel Miranda (CUB) Zone 2.4: WIM Anahi Ortiz Verdezoto (ECU) Zone 2.5: WIM Gabriela Vargas (PAR) Zonal 2.2: The nominee will be decided shortly Continental – Asia (12) 2018 IM Padmini Rout (IND) 2019 IM Dinara Saduakassova (KAZ) Zone 3.1: IM Sarasadat Khademalsharieh (IRI) Zone 3.2: WIM Sultana Sharmin Shirin (BAN) Zone 3.3: IM Medina Aulia Varda (INA) Zone 3.4: WIM Yakubbaeva Nilufar (UZB) Zone 3.5: 1. WGM Zhu Jiner (CHN) 2. WGM Huang Qian (CHN) 3. WGM Zhai Mo (CHN) 4. GM Lei Tingjie (CHN) Zone 3.6: WGM Julia Ryjanova (AUS) Zone 3.7: IM Kulkarni Bhakti (IND) Continental – Europe (28) 2018 GM Valentina Gunina (RUS) GM Nana Dzagnidze (GEO) GM Anna Ushenina (UKR) IM Ekaterina Atalik (TUR) GM Antoaneta Stefanova (BUL) IM Elisabeth Paehtz (GER) WGM Klaudia Kulon (POL) GM Aleksandra Goryachkina (RUS) IM Gunay Mammadzada (AZE) IM Iulia Osmak (UKR) IM Lela Javakhishvili (GEO) IM Karina Szczepkowska (POL) GM Marie Sebag (FRA) WGM Laura Unuk (SLO) http://chess-results.com/tnr338143.aspx?lan=20&art=1&rd=11&turdet=YES&flag=30 2019 IM Alina Kashlinskaya (RUS) IM Inna Gaponenko (UKR) WGM Pauline Guichard (FRA) WGM Ulviyya Fataliyeva (AZE) IM Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE) WGM Jolanta Zawadzka (POL) GM Pia Cramling (SWE) IM Anastasia Bodnaruk (RUS) GM Monika Socko (POL) WGM Anastasya Paramzina (RUS) WGM Marina Brunello (ITA) WGM Turkan Mamedjarova (AZE) IM Nurgyul Salimova (BUL) WGM Dina Belenkaya (RUS) http://chess-results.com/tnr423302.aspx?lan=20&art=1&rd=11&flag=30 In case of the withdrawal of a zonal and continental tournament qualifier, she is substituted with the highest-ranked player from the respective tournaments (the links can be found in this document). In all other cases, the rating criteria are applied. The list of reserve players by rating: 1. WGM Pogonina, Natalija (RUS)2. WGM Girya, Olga (RUS)3. IM Abdumalik, Zhansaya (KAZ)4. GM Khotenashvili, Bela (GEO)5. IM Bulmaga, Irina (ROU) All qualified players are required to sign their respective contracts (Player’s Contract for Participation in the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2021) and send them scanned to the FIDE Secretariat – office@fide.com by 4 June 2021 11:59 pm Lausanne time. We would welcome the most prompt response from the players. In accordance with Article 2.1.V of the updated recently FIDE Women’s World Cup Regulations, thirty-nine Federations are selected according to the average rating of their five highest-rated women players in the December 2020 FRL (not more than 15 per Continent). These Federations should nominate any player of their choice who is registered to their Federation by June 9th, 2021 (in addition to players already qualified through other paths). N FEDERATION Avg of Top 5, FRL Dec 2020 1 China 2544 2 Russia 2516 3 Georgia 2473 4 Ukraine 2469 5 India 2455 6 United States of America 2406 7 Kazakhstan 2401 8 Poland 2395 9 France 2388 10 Spain 2371 11 Hungary 2364 12 Azerbaijan 2362 13 Bulgaria 2361 14 Germany 2356 15 Armenia 2345 16 Netherlands 2342 17 Romania 2336 18 Iran 2333 19 Mongolia 2328 20 Cuba 2322 21 Serbia 2318 22 Turkey 2315 23 Vietnam 2303 24 Indonesia 2284 25 Canada 2256 26 Argentina 2244 27 Uzbekistan 2206 28 Australia 2187 29 Colombia 2162 30 Brazil 2130 31 Philippines 2129 32 Mexico 2121 33 Peru 2096 34 Egypt 2084 35 Venezuela 2028 36 Chile 2016 37 Turkmenistan 2016 38 Saudi Arabia 2014 39 Malaysia 2012 Please note that the deadline for submission of nomination, as well as for nominees’ confirmation of participation is 9 June. As previously announced, FIDE World Cup and FIDE Women’s World Cup were expanded to 206 and 103 players, with prize funds in both competitions substantially increased.
Ahead of FIDE WGP Gibraltar: standings and full pairings
The Women’s FIDE Grand Prix Gibraltar postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions in the British Oversea Territory will take place from May 22 to June 2, 2021. Hosting this prestigious event opens a new chapter in Gibraltar’s continued tradition of supporting chess, in general, and the best female chess players, in particular. Since the inception of the Gibraltar Chess Festival in 2003, almost all the world’s top female players have taken part, including the greatest woman player of all time, Judit Polgar, as well as a total of seven Women’s World Champions. The fourth and final leg of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix will be hosted by Caleta Hotel. As usual, twelve players will compete in a round-robin tournament. All the rounds (except the final one – TBA) start at 15:00 local time. The event will be very important in regards to two qualifying spots for the FIDE Women Candidates Tournament. They are reserved for the two winners of the Series, but we must keep in mind that the leader after three legs Aleksandra Goryachkina (398 series points) already has a place in the Candidates Tournament as a previous world championship match runner-up. Consequently, her spot will be awarded to the next top-scorer of the Grand Prix which promises a fierce fight. Humpy Koneru (293 points) and Alexandra Kosteniuk (193) follow Goryachkina in the overall standings, but both won’t play in the final leg. Nana Dzagnidze (180), Kateryna Lagno (180), Anna Muzychuk (165), Alina Kashlinskaya (130), Maria Muzychuk (120) all have a chance to pick up the needed points in Gibraltar and claim the qualifying spot. Winning an event scores 160 points, second place – 130, and third – 110. The list of participants: 1 IM Gunay Mammadzada 2443 AZE 2 IM Irina Bulmaga 2440 ROU 3 IM Zhansaya Abdumalik 2472 KAZ 4 GM Mariya Muzychuk 2544 UKR 5 GM Nana Dzagnidze 2524 GEO 6 IM Alina Kashlinskaya 2494 RUS 7 GM Valentina Gunina 2421 RUS 8 GM Kateryna Lagno 2546 RUS 9 GM Anna Muzychuk 2535 UKR 10 IM Dinara Saduakassova 2500 KAZ 11 IM Elisabeth Paehtz 2467 GER 12 GM Antoaneta Stefanova 2470 BUL FULL PAIRINGS: Round 1 on 2021/05/22 IM Gunay Mammadzada (2443) – GM Antoaneta Stefanova (2470)IM Irina Bulmaga (2440) – IM Elisabeth Paehtz (2467)IM Zhansaya Abdumalik (2472) – IM Dinara Saduakassova (2500)GM Mariya Muzychuk (2544) – GM Anna Muzychuk (2535)GM Nana Dzagnidze (2524) – GM Kateryna Lagno (2546)IM Alina Kashlinskaya (2494) – GM Valentina Gunina (2421) Round 2 on 2021/05/23 GM Antoaneta Stefanova (2470) – GM Valentina Gunina (2421) GM Kateryna Lagno (2546) – IM Alina Kashlinskaya (2494) GM Anna Muzychuk (2535) – GM Nana Dzagnidze (2524) IM Dinara Saduakassova (2500) – GM Mariya Muzychuk 2544 IM Elisabeth Paehtz (2467) – IM Zhansaya Abdumalik (2472) IM Gunay Mammadzada (2443) – IM Irina Bulmaga (2440) Round 3 on 2021/05/24 IM Irina Bulmaga (2440) – GM Antoaneta Stefanova (2470) IM Zhansaya Abdumalik (2472) – IM Gunay Mammadzada (2443) GM Mariya Muzychuk 2544 – IM Elisabeth Paehtz (2467) GM Nana Dzagnidze (2524) – IM Dinara Saduakassova (2500) IM Alina Kashlinskaya (2494) – GM Anna Muzychuk (2535) GM Valentina Gunina (2421) – GM Kateryna Lagno (2546) Round 4 on 2021/05/25 GM Antoaneta Stefanova (2470) – GM Kateryna Lagno (2546) GM Anna Muzychuk (2535) – GM Valentina Gunina (2421) IM Dinara Saduakassova (2500) – IM Alina Kashlinskaya (2494) IM Elisabeth Paehtz (2467) – GM Nana Dzagnidze (2524) IM Gunay Mammadzada (2443) – GM Mariya Muzychuk 2544 IM Irina Bulmaga (2440) – IM Zhansaya Abdumalik (2472) Round 5 on 2021/05/26 IM Zhansaya Abdumalik (2472) – GM Antoaneta Stefanova (2470) GM Mariya Muzychuk 2544 – IM Irina Bulmaga (2440) GM Nana Dzagnidze (2524) – IM Gunay Mammadzada (2443) IM Alina Kashlinskaya (2494) – IM Elisabeth Paehtz (2467) GM Valentina Gunina (2421) – IM Dinara Saduakassova (2500) GM Kateryna Lagno (2546) – GM Anna Muzychuk (2535) Round 6 on 2021/05/27 GM Antoaneta Stefanova (2470) – GM Anna Muzychuk (2535) IM Dinara Saduakassova (2500) – GM Kateryna Lagno (2546) IM Elisabeth Paehtz (2467) – GM Valentina Gunina (2421) IM Gunay Mammadzada (2443) – IM Alina Kashlinskaya (2494) IM Irina Bulmaga (2440) – GM Nana Dzagnidze (2524) IM Zhansaya Abdumalik (2472) – GM Mariya Muzychuk (2544) Round 7 on 2021/05/29 GM Mariya Muzychuk 2544 – GM Antoaneta Stefanova (2470) GM Nana Dzagnidze (2524) – IM Zhansaya Abdumalik (2472) IM Alina Kashlinskaya (2494) – IM Irina Bulmaga (2440) GM Valentina Gunina (2421) – IM Gunay Mammadzada (2443) GM Kateryna Lagno (2546) – IM Elisabeth Paehtz (2467) GM Anna Muzychuk (2535) – IM Dinara Saduakassova (2500) Round 8 on 2021/05/30 GM Antoaneta Stefanova (2470) – IM Dinara Saduakassova (2500) IM Elisabeth Paehtz (2467) – GM Anna Muzychuk (2535) IM Gunay Mammadzada (2443) – GM Kateryna Lagno (2546) IM Irina Bulmaga (2440) – GM Valentina Gunina (2421) IM Zhansaya Abdumalik (2472) – IM Alina Kashlinskaya (2494) GM Mariya Muzychuk 2544 – GM Nana Dzagnidze (2524) Round 9 on 2021/05/31 GM Nana Dzagnidze (2524) – GM Antoaneta Stefanova (2470) IM Alina Kashlinskaya (2494) – GM Mariya Muzychuk 2544 GM Valentina Gunina (2421) – IM Zhansaya Abdumalik (2472) GM Kateryna Lagno (2546) – IM Irina Bulmaga (2440) GM Anna Muzychuk (2535) – IM Gunay Mammadzada (2443) IM Dinara Saduakassova (2500) – IM Elisabeth Paehtz (2467) Round 10 on 2021/06/01 GM Antoaneta Stefanova (2470) – IM Elisabeth Paehtz (2467) IM Gunay Mammadzada (2443) – IM Dinara Saduakassova (2500) IM Irina Bulmaga (2440) – GM Anna Muzychuk (2535) IM Zhansaya Abdumalik (2472) – GM Kateryna Lagno (2546) GM Mariya Muzychuk 2544 – GM Valentina Gunina (2421) GM Nana Dzagnidze (2524) – IM Alina Kashlinskaya (2494) Round 11 on 2021/06/02 IM Alina Kashlinskaya (2494) – GM Antoaneta Stefanova (2470) GM Valentina Gunina (2421) – GM Nana Dzagnidze (2524) GM Kateryna Lagno (2546) – GM Mariya Muzychuk 2544 GM Anna Muzychuk (2535) – IM Zhansaya Abdumalik (2472) IM Dinara Saduakassova (2500) – IM Irina Bulmaga (2440) IM Elisabeth Paehtz (2467) – IM Gunay Mammadzada (2443)