On Day 5 of the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025, a significant shock unfolded. Fifteen-year-old WFM Elnaz Kaliakhmet managed to eliminate Georgian GM Nino Batsiashvili, leaving spectators in Batumi spellbound. It seems a promising new talent may have emerged on the chessboard.
The Georgian Chess Federation President Akaki Iashvili, along with FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky, oversees the day-to-day activities of this event. Today, they were joined by Batumi’s Mayor, Giorgi Murvanidze, who started off the game on board one by making the ceremonial first move.
High Stakes, Sharp Games
The atmosphere is becoming increasingly intense as the chance to secure €6,750 with a place in Round 3 is at stake. Players who ended up evenly matched in Game 1 have opted for reliable strategies in Game 2. Nobody wants to slip up and miss out on further competition.
In a cautious approach, Indian chess player Rout Padmini strategically maneuvered against GM Alexandra Kosteniuk. By introducing a tactical variation in the Petroff Defense, she contrived an early draw in merely 11 moves. This clever move is often employed to circumvent the 30-move rule which prevents draws from occurring too quickly.
Other close matchups heading to tiebreaks:
- FM Anastasia Avramidou vs GM Kateryna Lagno
- WIM Umida Omonova vs IM Alina Kashlinskaya
- IM Inna Gaponenko vs GM Anna Muzychuk
- WGM Thalia Cervantes vs GM Mariya Muzychuk
- IM Klaudia Kulon vs WIM Priyanka K.
- GM Elina Danielian vs GM Antoaneta Stefanova
Clear Winners Moving On
Some players cruised to easy victories and earned themselves a well-deserved break. IM Polina Shuvalova outplayed IM Gulnar Mammadova 2-0. GM Lei Tingjie claimed a hard-fought endgame victory to move forward. GM Tan Zhongyi, a past World Champion, knocked out WFM Anastasia Kirtadze with consecutive wins.
Nana Dzagnidze, a Grandmaster, employed aggressive strategies to outsmart IM Daria Charochkina in their game. Meanwhile, IM Yuliia Osmak triumphed in a complex endgame scenario and acknowledged the impact of Magnus Carlsen’s approach on her playing style.
On this exceptional day for India, both GM Humpy Koneru and IM Divya Deshmukha maintained their positions by drawing their respective games. Meanwhile, Vaishali Rameshbabu showcased her strength with two victories. Simultaneously, GM Harika Dronavalli secured a win in the second game, which she followed by sharing her queenless attacking strategy during a press conference.
Young Stars and Tough Losses
GM Irina Krush needed a victory, yet she was unable to deliver. Instead, she conceded the game to her teammate IM Carissa Yip. Meanwhile, another American player, IM Alice Lee, has dropped two consecutive games and consequently exited the tournament.
In a bold, aggressive display, Romania’s IM Irina Bulmaga outmaneuvered IM Deimante Daulyte-Cornette. She took her opponent by surprise right from the start and maintained her lead throughout the game.
Comebacks and Drama
Multiple competitors managed to recover following their initial defeats, showcasing resilience in the process. Notably, Grandmasters Aleksandra Goryachkina, Anna Ushenina, International Masters Song Xuxin, Aleksandra Maltsevskaya, and Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova all secured tiebreaks through decisive victories.
However, it was Elnaz Kaliakhmet who stole the show with her stunning victory over hometown hero Batsiashvili. This upset garnered significant attention in the news. Georgia’s chess scene remains robust, boasting top-tier players such as GM Nana Dzagnidze, GM Bella Khotenashvili, and IM Meri Arabidze.
About the Tournament
The 2025 FIDE Women’s World Cup will take place in Batumi, Georgia, spanning from July 6th to the 28th. A total of 107 players representing 46 different nations will participate, with 17 of the world’s top 20 female chess players among them.
As a devoted fan, I’m thrilled to share that the victor of this tournament is set to pocket an impressive $50,000 and secure a coveted place in the Candidates Tournament! If you want to keep up with every move, don’t forget to check out the official Women’s World Cup site for all the pairings and results.
For more esports and chess updates, stay tuned to TopMob.
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2025-07-11 04:31