Kashlinskaya and Assaubayeva neck and neck in a round of missed opportunities
With just one round remaining at the Women’s Grand Prix in Tbilisi, two players are now tied for first place: Alina Kashlinskaya, who won, and Bibisara Assaubayeva, who drew her game. The day was marked by missed opportunities across the boards, indicating fatigue among the players The day witnessed dramatic swings in all games, as players struggled with the pressure and fatigue after eight intense rounds. Notably, this was only the second round in the entire tournament where more games ended with decisive results instead of draws. Alina Kashlinskaya emerged as the biggest winner of the round, tying for first place following her victory against Georgia’s Lela Javakhishvili in the Nimzo-Indian. It was the longest game of the round, finishing in just over five hours. Despite faltering in the middlegame and losing her advantage, Kashlinskaya managed to break through and win. With this victory, Kashlinskaya now has five points, while Javakhishvili remains on three. Bibisara Assaubayeva, who led the tournament after round seven, squandered a completely winning position against Stavroula Tsolakidou, missing an opportunity to extend her lead over the field. In the English Opening, things started well for Bibisara, but she misplayed and allowed Black to seize the initiative. Then, after Tsolakidou’s mistake, the tables turned completely, putting Bibisara in a winning position. However, with one misstep, Assaubayeva threw away the victory and had to fight for a draw. A big miss for Bibisara (now on five points) and a fortunate break for Tsolakidou, who is now on 4.5 points. Anna Muzychuk defeated Sara Khadem in the Giuoco Piano. This was the first game of the round to finish. Khadem held a solid position until the middlegame, when she pursued a faulty plan and underestimated back-rank threats, ending up losing. With this victory, Anna Muzychuk moved to 4.5 points, while Khadem remains on 2.5. In the Scotch Game, Alexandra Kosteniuk and Mariya Muzychuk exchanged mistakes throughout. Despite having several completely winning positions, Mariya Muzychuk let them slip, resulting in a draw. In the post-game interview, Mariya Muzychuk (now on 4.5 points) mentioned that she felt she had the upper hand but that fatigue was taking its toll. Alexandra Kosteniuk (on three points) left the venue quickly after the game, visibly exhausted. Nana Dzagnidze lost to Vaishali Rameshbabu in a sharp encounter. Despite achieving a strong initiative in the King’s Indian, Dzagnidze overextended and ended up losing. This defeat dashed Dzagnidze’s hopes of reaching the top spots, as she remains on four points. With 3.5 points, Vaishali has climbed up from the bottom of the leaderboard. Standings after Round 8 Saturday, August 24, marks the final round and the last chance for players to improve their standings. With two players tied for first place and three players just half a point behind, the final day promises excitement and surprises. The games will begin at 1 PM local time in Tbilisi, with the closing ceremony and the announcement of the winner scheduled for 8 PM. Here follows a closer look at the games of round eight: Alexandra Kosteniuk – Mariya Muzychuk In the Scotch Game, Kosteniuk was facing challenges early in the opening after playing a rare line starting 9. Nd2. The opponents traded inaccuracies transitioning from the opening to the middlegame but it was Black, who eventually emerged clearly better. However, Mariya did not find the best continuation at the first critical moment of the game. 27…Nb3? Black’s main idea is to play c6-c5 and 27…Ne4 served this purpose. The point is that 28.f3 fails to 28…Nxg3 29. Kxg3 c5! Black regains the piece and gets an overwhelming position as White’s king is very weak. After 28.Nxb3 Rxb3 29.Bd4 White was holding, but not for long. After exchanging a couple of mistakes the two transitioned to an even rook endgame, with Black having an extra pawn. Kosteniuk made another mistake after which she was lost. Black has just played 42…c6? (instead of 42…Ke6, winning) and threw a lifeline to White. Alexandra, however, opted for 43.g5?? 43.f5 or 43.Rb4 were holding moves. Now, with this move, Kosteniuk allowed Black a chance to reactivate the king and central pawns and get the upper hand again. But it was not the end of the story as Mariya was the last to err in this topsy-turvy game. 47…Kg7?? Instead of playing actively and supporting the progress of her central pawns with 47…Ke5, Black put her king on the defense. After 48.Kxg5, Kosteniuk created a passer on the h-file, and the position became even. The struggle continued, but neither side made any significant errors afterward, and a draw was agreed upon at move 64. Alina Kashlinskaya – Lela Javakhishvili Alina Kashlinskaya obtained a notably better position against Lela Javakhishvili in the Nimzo-Indian. White made a push in the center, but Black did not respond correctly, giving the opponent an advantage. White has control over the center, a pair of bishops and better chances to organize an attack. Alina did not hesitate to break through in the center. 17.d5! exd5 18.e5! Ne4 19.Bd2 Nxg4 20.hxg3 d4 White is now significantly better and Black needs to find ways to block off the bishops. But Kashlinskaya was slow in her attack and soon lost her advantage. Despite Black not choosing the best moves, White missed her chances. After the exchange of heavy pieces, including queens, the position was about even, but White still had the initiative. 29.e6 fxe6?? A blunder, after which Black loses an exchange. She should have captured with the knight with a defendable position. 30.Bxd4! cxd4 31.Bxe6+ Rxe6 32.Rxe6 d3 33.Rd6 Be4 34.Rd7. Save for a slight inaccuracy on move 40, Alina gradually improved her position and converted an extra exchange into a full point. Anna Muzychuk – Sarasadat Khademalsharieh In the Giuoco Piano the position was mostly equal until well into the middlegame when Sara Khadem made an error. The position is about equal. Both sides have completed their development and have active pieces. Black has more control over the center but
Dates for 2025 FIDE WWC in Batumi, Georgia announced
During the celebration of FIDE’s centenary in Tbilisi, FIDE announced the official dates and location for the highly anticipated 2025 Women’s World Cup. This prestigious event will take place in the picturesque seaside city of Batumi, Georgia, from July 5 to 29, 2025. Georgia holds a special place in the history of women’s chess, having produced some of the most legendary female players in the world. Batumi, known for its beautiful Black Sea coastline, is a fitting venue for this major tournament, which will gather the world’s top female chess players in a battle for glory. Chess in Georgia Georgia’s legacy in women’s chess is unparalleled. The country is home to iconic figures like Nona Gaprindashvili, the first woman to be awarded the title of Grandmaster by FIDE in 1978. Gaprindashvili was a five-time Women’s World Chess Champion, holding the title from 1962 to 1978, and her achievements laid the foundation for Georgia’s continued excellence in the sport. Another legend, Maia Chiburdanidze, succeeded Gaprindashvili as Women’s World Champion at 17, becoming the youngest player ever to win the title at that time. Chiburdanidze held the championship for 13 years, further solidifying Georgia’s reputation as a dominant force in women’s chess. These legendary players have inspired generations and maintained the country’s strong tradition in chess. It is no coincidence that Georgians are the reigning Women’s World Team Champions. The 2025 Women’s World Cup is a celebration of this rich heritage. Hosting the event in Georgia is a nod to the country’s contribution to women’s chess and a reminder of the enduring legacy of its champions. It is a fitting tribute to a nation that has shaped the course of women’s chess history and continues to be an inspiration for future generations. World Cup 2025 Selection The Women’s World Cup selection process remains consistent with the 2023 format, ensuring that the strongest and most deserving players will compete. 103 players will be selected according to specific criteria. Prize Fund The prize fund will also match that of the previous edition; a total prize fund of US$676,250, with the first prize of US$50,000, maintaining the tournament’s status as one of the most lucrative in women’s chess. Furthermore, the top three finishers in the Women’s World Cup will earn their spots in the 2025-26 Women’s Candidates Tournament, setting the stage for the next World Championship cycle. Previous Edition The 2023 edition of the Women’s World Cup was a highly competitive and thrilling event held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from July 30 to August 20, 2023. The tournament featured a knockout format, with intense matches that showcased the highest level of skill and determination. Aleksandra Goryachkina emerged victorious, adding this prestigious title to her already impressive record. Notably, Nurgyul Salimova reached the finals, which propelled her to the elite and reserved her spot in the Candidates. Photo: Stev Bonhage While the regulations for the tournament are still being finalized, with the potential for format changes, the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Cup promises to be another exciting and competitive event. FIDE is committed to delivering an unforgettable competition that will not only honor the rich legacy of women’s chess in Georgia but also contribute to the growth of women’s chess worldwide.