Valentina Gunina wins Batumi Women's Grand Prix

Monday, 02 May 2016 07:16

After claiming the winner's trophy with one round to spare, Valentina Gunina had a pressure-free game against Nino Batsiashvili. It was still an interesting encounter as black sacrificed two pawns for active play. The battle settled in a draw before the time control.

In the only decided game of the day Alexandra Kosteniuk defeated Zhao Xue to emerge clear second in the final ranking. It was a back-to-back win for the Russian and second consecutive loss for the earlier co-leader.

The remaining four games were also drawn. The awarding ceremony was held later in the afternoon.

The final Women's Grand Prix is set to start on 1st July in Chengdu, China. Read more.

Final ranking

Rank		Name	Rtg	FED	Pts
1	GM	Gunina Valentina	2497	RUS	7½
2	GM	Kosteniuk Alexandra	2557	RUS	6½
3	IM	Batsiashvili Nino	2476	GEO	6
4	GM	Muzychyk Anna	2555	UKR	6
5	GM	Zhao Xue	2504	CHN	5½
6	GM	Dzagnidze Nana	2535	GEO	5½
7	IM	Skripchenko Almira	2453	FRA	5½
8	GM	Muzychuk Mariya	2561	UKR	5
9	IM	Javakhishvili Lela	2489	GEO	5
10	WGM	Girya Olga	2442	RUS	5
11	GM	Danielian Elina	2445	ARM	4½
12	GM	Khotenashvili Bela	2493	GEO	4

All photo galleries

Valentina Gunina wins Women GP in Batumi with one round to go

By winning the key game against Zhao Xue in the 10th round Valentina Gunina ensured the victory in the Women Grand Prix in Batumi. The nearest trailers, who could have tried to get some chances to fight for the first place, either lost or finished their games in draws. Nana Dzagnidze lost an important point against Alexandra Kosteniuk, Nino Batsiashvili drew with Almira Skripchenko, while Anna Muzychuk could not achieve more than a draw in the longest game of the round against Olga Girya. Lela Javakhishvili missed good winning chances against Maria Muzychuk. The encounter between Bela Khotenashvili and Elina Danielian finished in a draw. Before the last round Valentina Gunina is unreachable with 7 out 10 points. Zhao Xue, Anna Muzychuk, Nino Batsiashvili and Alexandra Kosteniuk share the second place. Read more

5V4A2082

Round 10 on 2016/05/01 at 15:00

SNo.		Name	Rtg	Res.		Name	Rtg	SNo.
12	GM	Kosteniuk Alexandra	2557	1 - 0	GM	Dzagnidze Nana	2535	11
1	IM	Javakhishvili Lela	2489	½ - ½	GM	Muzychuk Mariya	2561	10
2	GM	Khotenashvili Bela	2493	½ - ½	GM	Danielian Elina	2445	9
3	GM	Muzychyk Anna	2555	½ - ½	WGM	Girya Olga	2442	8
4	IM	Skripchenko Almira	2453	½ - ½	IM	Batsiashvili Nino	2476	7
5	GM	Gunina Valentina	2497	1 - 0	GM	Zhao Xue	2504	6

Valentina Gunina takes the sole lead after round 9

Unlike the previous peaceful round, there was the high rate of decisive games (five, with one draw only) in the round 9. In the central game of the round Valentina Gunina outplayed her compatriot Alexandra Kosteniuk, to take the sole lead in the tournament with two rounds to go. Nana Dzagnidze and Anna Muzychuk, the former leaders, unexpectedly lost their games against Maria Muzychuk and Nino Batsiashvili respectevely. Zhao Xue won against Almira Skripchenko to climb up on the second place on the table. Lela Javakhishvili was the only player, who won the game with black pieces today. Olga Girya had perspective position but missed her chances against Bela Khotenashvili and the game ended in a draw. Read more

Round 9 on 2016/04/30 at 15:00

SNo.		Name	Rtg	Res.		Name	Rtg	SNo.
5	GM	Gunina Valentina	2497	1 - 0	GM	Kosteniuk Alexandra	2557	12
6	GM	Zhao Xue	2504	1 - 0	IM	Skripchenko Almira	2453	4
7	IM	Batsiashvili Nino	2476	1 - 0	GM	Muzychyk Anna	2555	3
8	WGM	Girya Olga	2442	½ - ½	GM	Khotenashvili Bela	2493	2
9	GM	Danielian Elina	2445	0 - 1	IM	Javakhishvili Lela	2489	1
10	GM	Muzychuk Mariya	2561	1 - 0	GM	Dzagnidze Nana	2535	11
Round 10 on 2016/05/01 at 15:00

SNo.		Name	Rtg	Res.		Name	Rtg	SNo.
12	GM	Kosteniuk Alexandra	2557	-	GM	Dzagnidze Nana	2535	11
1	IM	Javakhishvili Lela	2489	-	GM	Muzychuk Mariya	2561	10
2	GM	Khotenashvili Bela	2493	-	GM	Danielian Elina	2445	9
3	GM	Muzychyk Anna	2555	-	WGM	Girya Olga	2442	8
4	IM	Skripchenko Almira	2453	-	IM	Batsiashvili Nino	2476	7
5	GM	Gunina Valentina	2497	-	GM	Zhao Xue	2504	6

5V4A1968

Photo gallery

Standings

5V4A1777

A relatively peaceful round compared to the previous two, but the five draws were achieved only after some fierce battling.

Anna Muzychuk recovered after the yesterday's loss to put an end on the winning streak of Zhao Xue. Muzychuk deposed the Chinese from the leading pack and joined Dzagnidze, Gunina on the top of the standings.

Nino Batsiashvili made a nice escape from the lost ending with a desperado and stalemate.

Lela Javakhishvili ended the bad streak of three consecutive loses by saving weaker position against Olga Girya. This is the first draw for Girya in the tournament.

Friday is the rest day, the event continues on 30th April. Read more.

Round 8 on 2016/04/28 at 15:00

SNo.		Name	Rtg	Res.		Name	Rtg	SNo.
12	GM	Kosteniuk Alexandra	2557	½ - ½	GM	Muzychuk Mariya	2561	10
11	GM	Dzagnidze Nana	2535	½ - ½	GM	Danielian Elina	2445	9
1	IM	Javakhishvili Lela	2489	½ - ½	WGM	Girya Olga	2442	8
2	GM	Khotenashvili Bela	2493	½ - ½	IM	Batsiashvili Nino	2476	7
3	GM	Muzychyk Anna	2555	1 - 0	GM	Zhao Xue	2504	6
4	IM	Skripchenko Almira	2453	½ - ½	GM	Gunina Valentina	2497	5
Round 9 on 2016/04/30 at 15:00

SNo.		Name	Rtg	Res.		Name	Rtg	SNo.
5	GM	Gunina Valentina	2497	-	GM	Kosteniuk Alexandra	2557	12
6	GM	Zhao Xue	2504	-	IM	Skripchenko Almira	2453	4
7	IM	Batsiashvili Nino	2476	-	GM	Muzychyk Anna	2555	3
8	WGM	Girya Olga	2442	-	GM	Khotenashvili Bela	2493	2
9	GM	Danielian Elina	2445	-	IM	Javakhishvili Lela	2489	1
10	GM	Muzychuk Mariya	2561	-	GM	Dzagnidze Nana	2535	11

5V4A1809

Photo gallery

Standings

MG 3159

Round 7: Another change on top, Gunina, Dzagnidze and Zhao Xue in lead

Round seven of the FIDE Women's Grand Prix in Batumi, Georgia, brought more excitement as new leaders emerge day by day.

Just like yesterday, five games were decided and only one was drawn.

Valentina Gunina beat the overnight leader Anna Muzychuk to overtake her on the top of the standings. Gunina is joined by Zhao Xue, who made a mini-series of three consecutive wins, and by Nana Dzagnidze connecting back-to-back victories.

Speaking of series, Elina Danielian ended the bad streak by beating the former world champion Mariya Muzychuk, Olga Girya continued to resist to draws by losing to Dzagnidze, while Lela Javakhishvili is in poor shape for third day in a row. Read more.

Round 7 on 2016/04/27 at 15:00

SNo.		Name	Rtg	Res.		Name	Rtg	SNo.
4	IM	Skripchenko Almira	2453	½ - ½	GM	Kosteniuk Alexandra	2557	12
5	GM	Gunina Valentina	2497	1 - 0	GM	Muzychyk Anna	2555	3
6	GM	Zhao Xue	2504	1 - 0	GM	Khotenashvili Bela	2493	2
7	IM	Batsiashvili Nino	2476	1 - 0	IM	Javakhishvili Lela	2489	1
8	WGM	Girya Olga	2442	0 - 1	GM	Dzagnidze Nana	2535	11
9	GM	Danielian Elina	2445	1 - 0	GM	Muzychuk Mariya	2561	10
Round 8 on 2016/04/28 at 15:00

SNo.		Name	Rtg	Res.		Name	Rtg	SNo.
12	GM	Kosteniuk Alexandra	2557	-	GM	Muzychuk Mariya	2561	10
11	GM	Dzagnidze Nana	2535	-	GM	Danielian Elina	2445	9
1	IM	Javakhishvili Lela	2489	-	WGM	Girya Olga	2442	8
2	GM	Khotenashvili Bela	2493	-	IM	Batsiashvili Nino	2476	7
3	GM	Muzychyk Anna	2555	-	GM	Zhao Xue	2504	6
4	IM	Skripchenko Almira	2453	-	GM	Gunina Valentina	2497	5

MG 3136

Photo gallery

Standings

MG 3126

Round 6: Sisters Muzychuk victorious, Anna in the lead

Another exciting round today at the FIDE Women's Grand Prix in Batumi as five games finished in decisive scores and only one was drawn.

Anna Muzychuk defeated the overnight leader Almira Skripchenko to take her place on the top of the standings. Her sister Mariya, until recently the world champion, scored the first victory in the tournament.

Elina Danielian and Lela Javakhishvili lost two games in a row, while Zhao Xue signed second consecutive win.

Nana Dzagnidze bounced back after the yesterday's loss by defeating her compatriot Nino Batsiashvili.

As many as five players share the second place half a point behind the leader. Read more.

Round 6 on 2016/04/26 at 15:00

SNo.		Name	Rtg	Res.		Name	Rtg	SNo.
12	GM	Kosteniuk Alexandra	2557	1 - 0	GM	Danielian Elina	2445	9
10	GM	Muzychuk Mariya	2561	1 - 0	WGM	Girya Olga	2442	8
11	GM	Dzagnidze Nana	2535	1 - 0	IM	Batsiashvili Nino	2476	7
1	IM	Javakhishvili Lela	2489	0 - 1	GM	Zhao Xue	2504	6
2	GM	Khotenashvili Bela	2493	½ - ½	GM	Gunina Valentina	2497	5
3	GM	Muzychyk Anna	2555	1 - 0	IM	Skripchenko Almira	2453	4
Round 7 on 2016/04/27 at 15:00

SNo.		Name	Rtg	Res.		Name	Rtg	SNo.
4	IM	Skripchenko Almira	2453	-	GM	Kosteniuk Alexandra	2557	12
5	GM	Gunina Valentina	2497	-	GM	Muzychyk Anna	2555	3
6	GM	Zhao Xue	2504	-	GM	Khotenashvili Bela	2493	2
7	IM	Batsiashvili Nino	2476	-	IM	Javakhishvili Lela	2489	1
8	WGM	Girya Olga	2442	-	GM	Dzagnidze Nana	2535	11
9	GM	Danielian Elina	2445	-	GM	Muzychuk Mariya	2561	10

MG 3086

Photo gallery

Standings

Batumi R5 id

Round 5: Almira Skripchenko surges ahead

The fifth round of the FIDE Women's Grand Prix in Batumi was played after the rest day and four games ended with decisive results.

Almira Skripchenko took advantage of the white pieces to defeat Bela Khotenashvili and single out on the top of the standings with 3.5/5 points.

Russians Olga Girya and Valentina Gunina won against Elina Danielian and Lela Javakhishvili respectively to join Anna Muzychuk on the shared second place. It is interesting that Girya and Gunina had no draws so far of the tournament.

Zhao Xue scored her first win by outplaying Nana Dzagnidze. Read more.

Round 5 on 2016/04/25 at 15:00

SNo.		Name	Rtg	Res.		Name	Rtg	SNo.
3	GM	Muzychyk Anna	2555	½ - ½	GM	Kosteniuk Alexandra	2557	12
4	IM	Skripchenko Almira	2453	1 - 0	GM	Khotenashvili Bela	2493	2
5	GM	Gunina Valentina	2497	1 - 0	IM	Javakhishvili Lela	2489	1
6	GM	Zhao Xue	2504	1 - 0	GM	Dzagnidze Nana	2535	11
7	IM	Batsiashvili Nino	2476	½ - ½	GM	Muzychuk Mariya	2561	10
8	WGM	Girya Olga	2442	1 - 0	GM	Danielian Elina	2445	9

MG 2981

Photo gallery

Standings

r4 id

Round 4: Four players sharing the lead before rest day

The local star Nana Dzagnidze scored her first victory in the tournament to join the three other players - Anna Muzychuk, Lela Javakhishvili and Almira Skripchenko - on the top of the crosstable.

In the other decisive games of the round Alexandra Kosteniuk won the Russian derby against Olga Girya, while Elina Danielian defeated Nino Batsiashvili.

Before the start of the round Tournament Director Akaki Iashvili presented flowers to Kosteniuk and Javakhishvili with best wishes for their birthdays. Read more.

Round 4 on 2016/04/23 at 15:00

SNo.		Name	Rtg	Res.		Name	Rtg	SNo.
12	GM	Kosteniuk Alexandra	2557	1 - 0	WGM	Girya Olga	2442	8
9	GM	Danielian Elina	2445	1 - 0	IM	Batsiashvili Nino	2476	7
10	GM	Muzychuk Mariya	2561	½ - ½	GM	Zhao Xue	2504	6
11	GM	Dzagnidze Nana	2535	1 - 0	GM	Gunina Valentina	2497	5
1	IM	Javakhishvili Lela	2489	½ - ½	IM	Skripchenko Almira	2453	4
2	GM	Khotenashvili Bela	2493	½ - ½	GM	Muzychyk Anna	2555	3

MG 2759

Photo gallery

Standings

MG 2699

Round 3: The leaders stumble in the third round

Olga Girya and Lela Javakhishvili, who were the leaders after two rounds, eventually lost their games against Nino Batsiashvili and Anna Muzychuk respectively. As a result, half of the players share the first place with 2 out of 3 points after three rounds of Women's Grand Prix in Batumi.

Valentina Gunina defeated former World Champion Maria Muzychuk, who cannot find her play in the tournament so far and lost the second game in a row. In a truly dramatic encounter Danielian-Zhao Xue, Armenian player, who had decisive advantage, drew the game after numerous mistakes from both sides. The games Kosteniuk-Khotenashvili and Skripchenko-Dzagnidze finished in a draw. Read more

Round 3

SNo.		Name	Rtg	Res.		Name	Rtg	SNo.
2	GM	Khotenashvili Bela	2493	½ - ½	GM	Kosteniuk Alexandra	2557	12
3	GM	Muzychyk Anna	2555	1 - 0	IM	Javakhishvili Lela	2489	1
4	IM	Skripchenko Almira	2453	½ - ½	GM	Dzagnidze Nana	2535	11
5	GM	Gunina Valentina	2497	1 - 0	GM	Muzychuk Mariya	2561	10
6	GM	Zhao Xue	2504	½ - ½	GM	Danielian Elina	2445	9
7	IM	Batsiashvili Nino	2476	1 - 0	WGM	Girya Olga	2442	8

Photo gallery

Standings

Round 2: Two players remain perfect after round 2 in Batumi

Today's stormy weather in Batumi was as strong as the storms that appeared on the boards in the playing hall, where 4 out of 6 games turned out to be decisive.
Olga Girya and Lela Javakhishvili won their encounters against Zhao Xue and Bela Khotenashvili respectively and remain perfect after 2 rounds. Almira Skripchenko defeated former Women's World Champion Maria Muzychuk, while Valentina Gunina won against Elina Danielian, who misplayed in drawish position, being under the time pressure. Other two games Kosteniuk-Batsiashvili and Dzagnidze-Muzychuk finished in a draw. Read more

Round 2

SNo.		Name	Rtg	Res.		Name	Rtg	SNo.
12	GM	Kosteniuk Alexandra	2557	½ - ½	IM	Batsiashvili Nino	2476	7
8	WGM	Girya Olga	2442	1 - 0	GM	Zhao Xue	2504	6
9	GM	Danielian Elina	2445	0 - 1	GM	Gunina Valentina	2497	5
10	GM	Muzychuk Mariya	2561	0 - 1	IM	Skripchenko Almira	2453	4
11	GM	Dzagnidze Nana	2535	½ - ½	GM	Muzychyk Anna	2555	3
1	IM	Javakhishvili Lela	2489	1 - 0	GM	Khotenashvili Bela	2493	2

MG 2553

Photo Gallery

MG 2444

Two decisive games in the first round

The President of the European Chess Union, Zurab Azmaiparashvili made a first symbolic move in the game Javakhishvili-Kosteniuk to start a lively first round of the third leg of Women's Grand Prix in Batumi, which finished with two decisive games and four draws. Lela Javakhishvili and Olga Girya became the first winners in the tournament. Girya defeated Valentina Gunina, who misplayed in a sharp position under time pressure, while Javakhishvili outplayed Alexandra Kosteniuk, who underestimated White's initiative. Zhao Xue and Bela Khotenashvili missed good winning chances against Nino Batsiashvili and Nana Dzagnidze respectively. Read more

Round 1

SNo.		Name	Rtg	Res.		Name	Rtg	SNo.
1	IM	Javakhishvili Lela	2489	1 - 0	GM	Kosteniuk Alexandra	2557	12
2	GM	Khotenashvili Bela	2493	½ - ½	GM	Dzagnidze Nana	2535	11
3	GM	Muzychyk Anna	2555	½ - ½	GM	Muzychuk Mariya	2561	10
4	IM	Skripchenko Almira	2453	½ - ½	GM	Danielian Elina	2445	9
5	GM	Gunina Valentina	2497	0 - 1	WGM	Girya Olga	2442	8
6	GM	Zhao Xue	2504	½ - ½	IM	Batsiashvili Nino	2476	7

MG 2492

Photo Gallery

The third stage of the FIDE Women's Grand Prix series 2015-2016 was officially opened in the presence of the players, the President of the Georgian Chess Federation Giorgi Giorgadze, the President of the European Chess Union Zurab Azmaiparashvili, the Head of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, Archil Khabadze, the Minister of Education, Culture and Sport of the Autonomous Republic Adjara, Georgiy Tavamaishvili, the Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, Avtandil Beridze, the Minister of Finance of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, David Baladze, former Women's World Champion and Chairman of the Appeals Committee Nona Gaprindashvili, Chief Arbiter Takis Nikolopoulos.

MG 2350

During the opening speech, the President of the Georgian Chess Federation Giorgi Giorgadze announced that the third stage of the Women's Grand Prix is dedicated to former Women's World Champion Nona Gaprindashvili, who will celebrate her 75th anniversary on the 3rd of May.

MG 2365

The President of ECU Zurab Azmaiparashvili on behalf of FIDE thanked the Georgian Chess Federation for the organization of the third stage of Women's Grand Prix. “The Georgian Chess Federation is one the most active federations which always helps FIDE to organize the international chess events. It's not surprising that we have Women's Grand Prix tournament in Georgia as we have important traditions and it's well known that the crown of the Women's World Champions was held by Georgian players Nona Gaprindashvili and Maya Chiburdanidze for 29 years.”

MG 2393

The Head of the Government of the Autonomous Republic of Adjara, Archil Khabadze welcomed the players in Batumi. The drawing of lots took place few hours earlier during the technical meeting.

MG 2205

Chairman of the Appeals Committee Nona Gaprindashvili, FIDE CEO Geoffrey Borg, Chief Arbiter Takis Nikolopoulos and the tournament director Akaki Iashvili.

One by one, the players were collecting the gift bags, with starting numbers inside of them. The first rated player in GP in Batumi and former Women's World Champion Maria Muzychuk has chosen the number 10 and will play against her sister Anna Muzychuk in the first round.

MG 2215

Nizza Iashvili got the number four for Almira Skripchenko.

The round one pairings as follows:

SNo.		Name	Rtg	Res.		Name	Rtg	SNo.
1	IM	Javakhishvili Lela	2489	-	GM	Kosteniuk Alexandra	2557	12
2	GM	Khotenashvili Bela	2493	-	GM	Dzagnidze Nana	2535	11
3	GM	Muzychyk Anna	2555	-	GM	Muzychuk Mariya	2561	10
4	IM	Skripchenko Almira	2453	-	GM	Danielian Elina	2445	9
5	GM	Gunina Valentina	2497	-	WGM	Girya Olga	2442	8
6	GM	Zhao Xue	2504	-	IM	Batsiashvili Nino	2476	7

Photos from the opening ceremony and the technical meeting.

The Grand Prix is taking place in Tbilisi (Georgia) from the 19th of April until 2nd of May 2016. The organizer of the tournament is the Georgian Chess Federation. SOCAR Energy Georgia is the general sponsor of the event.

The games are taking place at the Intourist Palace Hotel in Batumi.

The third leg of the FIDE Women's GP Series 2015/2016 starts in a few days in Batumi, Georgia

The Georgian Chess Federation, in partnership with the International Chess Federation (FIDE), is organizing the third leg of the FIDE Women's Grand Prix series 2015/2016. They have also organized previously two other GP events, one in Lopota and another in Tbilisi.

A round robin tournament with twelve of the best women players will be held in Intourist Palace Hotel ***** in Batumi (Georgia) from the 19th of April until 2nd of May 2016.

Chess is a regular guest in Batumi, a seaside city on the Black Sea coast and capital of Adjara. Batumi has hosted numerous international youth events in the past and is getting ready to become a World's chess capital during the 43rd World Chess Olympiad in 2018.

The participation of the two former Women's World Champions Maria Muzychuk and Alexandra Kosteniuk will be an important part of attraction as well as the participation of 4 (!) Georgian top women players: Nana Dzagnidze, Nino Batskiashvili, Bella Khotenashvili and Lela Javakishvili. The last 2 Georgian players as well as Armenian Elina Danielian and Russian Olga Girya are the new participants in the Series. With such a strong field including 8 GM, 3 IM and 1 WGM the tournament can be counted as one of the strongest women events in the history of chess.

During the Moscow Presidential Board Meeting the decision to have a Grand Prix series with five events in total was made. Each of 20 participants in the GP Series has the right to play in three of the five events. Current World Champion GM Hou Yifan from China withdrew from the Grand Prix cycle and she has now only one option to keep the title - to win the title again in the next Women’s World Championship with a knockout system.

The player accumulating the highest number of points in the Grand Prix series 2015-2016 will get the right to play a match with the winner of the 2016 World Championship in 2017. If the same player wins both events, the second placed in the Grand Prix circuit will become the challenger.

Prize fund for the Batumi event is 60.000 euros, with 10.000 euros for the winner. A further 15,000 euros goes towards an accumulated fund for the overall best placed women.

Tournament website http://batumi2016.fide.com/

Round 10 on 2016/05/01 at 15:00

SNo.		Name	Rtg	Res.		Name	Rtg	SNo.
12	GM	Kosteniuk Alexandra	2557	1 - 0	GM	Dzagnidze Nana	2535	11
1	IM	Javakhishvili Lela	2489	½ - ½	GM	Muzychuk Mariya	2561	10
2	GM	Khotenashvili Bela	2493	½ - ½	GM	Danielian Elina	2445	9
3	GM	Muzychyk Anna	2555	½ - ½	WGM	Girya Olga	2442	8
4	IM	Skripchenko Almira	2453	½ - ½	IM	Batsiashvili Nino	2476	7
5	GM	Gunina Valentina	2497	1 - 0	GM	Zhao Xue	2504	6

Contact:
Media: press@fide.com
General inquiries: office@fide.com

COMMISSIONS

Planning and Development Commission
pdc.fide.com

Arbiters' Commission
arbiters.fide.com

Chess in Education Commission
cis.fide.com

Commission for Women's Chess
womenchess.fide.com

Ethics Commission
ethics.fide.com

Events Commission
events.fide.com

Rules Commission
rules.fide.com

System of Parings Commission
pairings.fide.com

Trainers Commission
trainers.fide.com