Tan, Vaishali, Muzychuk start hot at FIDE Women’s Grand Prix
The last of six events on the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix is underway in Austria. More than the event itself, the biggest stake is the Candidates qualification spot offered to each of the top two finishers in the season-long Grand Prix. Aleksandra Goryachkina (308 points) has had one spot all but secured for a long time, having played the last of her three events in March, and winning two of them. Humpy Koneru (279 points) holds the second spot, but as she also isn’t playing in the Austria event, there’s a very good chance she will be passed by one of three other players despite also tying for first in two events. A solo first place finish is worth 130 points, a two-way tie is worth 117.5, and a three-way tie is worth 106.7.
Zhu Jiner (235 points) is the third player to finish first or tied first in two events. With this being her third event, she couldn’t ask to be in a better place. Anna Muzychuk (189 points) also has one win, and a top finish here may be enough to vault her into second overall. Finally, 2025 World Championship Challenger Tan Zhongyi (170 points) has an outside chance, though she will need both a tournament win and some helpful results from the other two.
Through two rounds, two of these three players are sitting happily. Tan has won two straight games, and is tied for first with Vaishali Rameshbabu. Muzychuk played a quick round one draw against her sister Mariya, and then won in round two. Unfortunately for Zhu, not only has she lost twice, but she has lost to both Tan and Muzychuk. So, she has ground to make up on the scoreboard, and won’t be able to scratch at her rivals as she attempts to do so. The good news is she needs a less spectacular result than the other two.
Tan was always the one playing to win in Zhu-Tan round one. There were tons of ups and downs as she tried to win an endgame with a rook and pawns against bishop and pawns, finally earning resignation on move 96. Muzychuk-Zhu in round two was similarly dramatic. While Muzychuk let some advantage slip multiple times, Zhu was again always playing from behind.
After much shuffling in a knight endgame, Zhu blundered with 84. …Na3?? (D).
Her idea was 85. Kd6 Nc2, hoping to trade c6 for b4 with an easy draw, however 86. Nd3 Kb7 87. Kc5! (D) leaves White unable to defend against Ne5-xc6, which is winning, and concluded on move 95.
From the first diagram, 84. …Nc3! is a fantastic improvement, because after the parallel sequence 85. Kd6 Na2 86. Nd3 Kb7 87. Kc5, Black now has 87. …Nc3 88. Ne5 Ne4+! (D) and saves the pawn.
Two tough losses for Zhu. You can follow the event live on Lichess. The final round is on May 15th. The full season-long standings can be viewed on the Grand Prix website.
Photo via FIDE
