Zhu leads at FIDE Women’s Grand Prix in India

Jiner Zhu has the lead after three rounds of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix in Pune, India, following up her T-1st performance in Cyprus last month in style. The 22 year old’s 2.5/3 score is half a point better than four other players, so this should remain a tight contest for some time yet. Zhu will be playing in the final Grand Prix event in Austria next month as well, so she has great chances at one of the two Candidates qualification spots as it stands.

Her game today was her first draw of the event, in a lengthy contest out of the same Rossolimo Sicilian played by Zhu’s compatriots in the Women’s World Championship match. Three of the five games in round three were decisive, all with rather extended advantages compared to single, game-ending blunders.

You can follow along with the event on Lichess. There is one rest day on April 19th, and the tournament concludes on April 23rd. The Grand Prix website has the season-long standings.

Photo by FIDE