Jiner wins two in-a-row

GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) has become an early sole leader by winning her first two games. IM Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE) is at 1.5/2. They are followed by six players at 1/2 including IM Divya Deshmukh and GM Harika Dronavalli.

IM Divya Deshmukh held former Women's World Champion - GM Mariya Muzychuk (UKR) to a draw | Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

Mariya - Divya: 0.5-0.5

IM Divya Deshmukh (2470) played only once earlier in a Classical rated game against the 15th Women's World Champion, GM Mariya Muzychuk (UKR, 2490) last year. It ended in a draw. This time also the color and result was the same.

GM Nana Dzagnidze (GEO) - IM Olga Badelka (AUT): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

Paehtz - Jiner

Position after 48...Bd1

Almost anything here leads to a draw, except 49.g5?? That is one of the few moves which leads to a loss for White as GM Jiner Zhu (CHN, 2514) got an opportunity to create a passed pawn on h-file 49...fxg5+ 50.hxg5 h5 Black showed correct technique to convert her advantage into a win.

Interview with GM Jiner Zhu | Video: FIDE

GM Elisabeth Paehtz (GER) - GM Jiner Zhu (CHN): 0-1 | Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

Harika - Stavroula

Position after 28.Nb6

IM Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE, 2445) decided to sacrifice her queen for a rook and knight 28...Rxb8 29.Nxd7 Bxd7 Black has a strong fortress which was not easy to break through. Thus, the game ended in a draw.

GM Harika Dronavalli - IM Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

GM Aleksandra Goryachkina - GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

Press Officer - IM FT Michael Rahal | Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

Round 2 in progress | Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

Replay live stream

Replay Round 2 live commentary by GM Alik Gershon (ISR) and WGM Anastasiya Karlovich (UKR) | Video: FIDE

GP Standings

GM Aleksandra Goryachkina is the new sole leader of the GP with 236.67 points, followed by IM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) 197.5 and GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN) 170 points. Bibisara has played all three of her GP events of the season. So, she has none left.

GM Aleksandra Goryachkina is at the top of the standings with 236.67 points | Source: Official site

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

Round 1 starts on 15th March at 3 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. The tournament will go on till 24th March 2025. Sole rest day is on Thursday 20th March.

Replay Round 2 games

Round 2 results

GM Nana Dzagnidze - IM Olga Badelka: 0.5-0.5

GM Elisabeth Paehtz - GM Jiner Zhu: 0-1

GM Harika Dronavalli - IM Stavroula Tsolakidou: 0.5-0.5

GM Mariya Muzychuk - IM Divya Deshmukh: 0.5-0.5

GM Aleksandra Goryachkina - GM Anna Muzychuk: 0.5-0.5

Standings after Round 2

Crosstable after Round 2 | Source: FIDE

Round 3 pairings

GM Anna Muzychuk - GM Nana Dzagnidze

IM Divya Deshmukh - GM Aleksandra Goryachkina

IM Stavroula Tsolakidou - GM Mariya Muzychuk

GM Jiner Zhu - GM Harika Dronavalli

IM Olga Badelka - GM Elisabeth Paehtz

Links

Official site

Tournament Regulations