Grosslobming GP R6: Jiner and Vaishali reduce the gap

by Shahid Ahmed - 12/05/2025

GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) drew with GM Nana Dzagnidze (GEO) in Round 6 of FIDE Grosslobming GP in Austria. Anna is still in sole lead 4.5/6. GM R Vaishali and GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) scored a win each against IM Olga Badelka (AUT) and GM Mariya Muzychuk (UKR) respectively. Both Vaishali and Jiner have reduced the gap with the sole leader. They are now at 4/6 each, followed by GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN) and Dzagnidze at 3.5/6 each. Zhongyi and GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI) are the remaining two victors of the round. Today is the sole rest day. Round 7 starts tomorrow Tuesday 13th May at 3 p.m local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Przemysław Nikiel

Anna Muzychuk still in sole lead

After Round 3 and 4, the sixth round also witnessed four decisive games. However, this time black pieces won three and white won one.

GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) still in sole lead 4.5/6 | Photo: FIDE/Przemysław Nikiel

Vaishali - Badelka: 0.5-0.5

GM R Vaishali (2475) faced IM Olga Badelka (AUT, 2426) twice in Classical rated games in youth tournaments. Both ended in draws. Their third Classical battle was this game.

Position after 16...f5?

16...c5? dropped a pawn 17.Bxe6 fxe6 18.Qb3 c4 19.Nxe7+ Qxe7 20.Qxc4 Rac8 21.Qb3 soon Black lost another pawn, an exchange and the game.

GM R Vaishali defeated IM Olga Badelka (AUT) to reduce the gap with the sole leader | Photo: FIDE/Przemysław Nikiel

Vishy Anand made the ceremonial first move of Round 6 on GM Vaishali and IM Olga Badelka's board | Photo: FIDE/Przemysław Nikiel

GM Nana Dzagnidze (GEO) - GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: FIDE/Przemysław Nikiel

Salimova - Zhongyi

Position after 80...Rg5

A three vs four pawns in a rook ending, got reduced to the above position. IM Nurgyul Salimova (BUL, 2399) played 81.Ra2?? and went on to lose the game. Try to find out what White should have played instead to ensure it ends in a draw.

IM Nurgyul Salimova (BUL) misplayed in the final moments of rook and few pawns endgame against GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN) | Photo: FIDE/Przemysław Nikiel

IM Lela Javakhishvili (GEO) - GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI): 0-1 | Photo: FIDE/Przemysław Nikiel

GM Jiner Zhu's (CHN) knights wreaked havoc on GM Mariya Muzychuk's (UKR) kingside | Photo: FIDE/Przemysław Nikiel

The maestro Vishy Anand joined Angelika Valkova (UKR) for commentary | Photo: FIDE/Przemysław Nikiel

Interview with Vishy Anand | Video: FIDE

Replay live stream

Replay Round 6 live commentary by GM Vishy Anand and Angelika Valkova (UKR) | Video: FIDE

GP Standings

GM Aleksandra Goryachkina is still at the top spot 308.34. She is guaranteed a spot at the next Candidates as only GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) can surpass her. She is at 235 points. After winning Pune GP, GM Koneru Humpy moved up to the second spot with 279.17 points. She needs to hope that Jiner does not surpass her in GP points at the Grosslobming GP.

GM Aleksandra Goryachkina is at the top of the standings with 308.34 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 6th May at 3 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. The tournament will go on till 15th May 2025. Sole rest day is on Monday 12th May.

Round 6 results

Bo.	No.	Rtg		White	Result		Black	Rtg	No.	PGN
1	10	2509	GM	Dzagnidze, Nana	½ - ½	GM	Muzychuk, Anna	2526	8	PGN
2	9	2399	IM	Salimova, Nurgyul	0 - 1	GM	Tan, Zhongyi	2536	7	PGN
3	1	2430	IM	Javakhishvili, Lela	0 - 1	GM	Kosteniuk, Alexandra	2479	6	PGN
4	2	2475	GM	Vaishali, Rameshbabu	1 - 0	IM	Badelka, Olga	2426	5	PGN
5	3	2494	GM	Muzychuk, Mariya	0 - 1	GM	Zhu, Jiner	2541	4	PGN

Details

Standings after Round 6

Rk.	SNo		Name	FED	Rtg	Pts.	TB1	TB2	TB3	Rp
1	8	GM	Muzychuk, Anna	UKR	2526	4,5	4	13,00	3	2691
2	4	GM	Zhu, Jiner	CHN	2541	4	3	10,00	4	2602
3	2	GM	Vaishali, Rameshbabu	IND	2475	4	2	8,75	3	2592
4	7	GM	Tan, Zhongyi	CHN	2536	3,5	4	9,75	3	2537
5	10	GM	Dzagnidze, Nana	GEO	2509	3,5	3	11,25	1	2547
6	6	GM	Kosteniuk, Alexandra	SUI	2479	2,5	4	7,75	2	2414
7	1	IM	Javakhishvili, Lela	GEO	2430	2,5	2	5,75	2	2430
8	5	IM	Badelka, Olga	AUT	2426	2	3	4,00	2	2349
9	3	GM	Muzychuk, Mariya	UKR	2494	2	2	6,75	0	2355
10	9	IM	Salimova, Nurgyul	BUL	2399	1,5	3	3,50	1	2299

Details

Round 7 pairings

Bo.	No.	Rtg		White	Result		Black	Rtg	No.	PGN
1	4	2541	GM	Zhu, Jiner		GM	Dzagnidze, Nana	2509	10
2	5	2426	IM	Badelka, Olga		GM	Muzychuk, Mariya	2494	3
3	6	2479	GM	Kosteniuk, Alexandra		GM	Vaishali, Rameshbabu	2475	2
4	7	2536	GM	Tan, Zhongyi		IM	Javakhishvili, Lela	2430	1
5	8	2526	GM	Muzychuk, Anna		IM	Salimova, Nurgyul	2399	9