Grosslobming GP R7: Jiner Zhu catches up with Anna Muzychuk

by Shahid Ahmed - 14/05/2025

GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) drew with IM Nurgyul Salimova (BUL) in Round 7 of FIDE Grosslobming GP in Austria. It created an opportunity for GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) to catch up with her. Jiner defeated GM Nana Dzagnidze (GEO) who made a tactical error in a queen, rook and double knight endgame. Both Anna and Jiner are coleaders now with a score of 5/7 each. They are closely followed by GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN) at 4.5/7. Zhongyi won against IM Lela Javakhishvili (GEO). GM R Vaishali suffered her second loss of the event. It was against GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI). Round 8 starts today at 3 p.m local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Przemysław Nikiel

Zhongyi Tan trails the leaders

The results after the rest day is the same before the rest day - three decisive games and one draw. Only difference is, this time white pieces won three games and black one. The last two rounds are bound to be exciting as GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) has become the new coleader with GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR). Not only that, former Women's World Champion - GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN) is not far behind either.

GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) and... | Photo: FIDE/Przemysław Nikiel

...GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) are the coleaders 5/7 | Photo: FIDE/Przemysław Nikiel

Jiner - Dzagnidze: 1-0

GM Jiner Zhu (CHN, 2541) has never defeated GM Nana Dzagnidze (GEO, 2509) in Classical rated games. Their last three battles since 2023 were only at GP events and they ended in draws. The Georgian won the only game against Jiner in December 2016. This time, Jiner got the better of the Georgia no.1.

Position after 35...Rf4??

35...Rf4?? created a winning opportunity for White 36.d7+- Nxd7 37.Qxd5 Qxd5 38.Rxd5 Nf6 39.Rxa5 and White went on to win the game.

GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) defeated GM Nana Dzagnidze (GEO) to join the lead with GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) | Photo: FIDE/Przemysław Nikiel

GM Mariya Muzychuk (UKR) overcame a difficult position and capitalized on her opportunity when IM Olga Badelka (AUT) blundered | Photo: FIDE/Przemysław Nikiel

Ceremonial first move of Round 7 | Photo: FIDE/Przemysław Nikiel

Kosteniuk - Vaishali: 1-0

GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI, 2479) and GM R Vaishali (2475) has played over 50 tournament games. However, out of them, only three of them were Classical rated games, two ended in a draw and the former Women's World Champion won one.

Position after 23...c5?

23...c5? is an incorrect break. Black needed to play 23...b5 instead. 24.bxc5 Nc6 25.Rxe4 Black's position fell apart in a hurry Bxe4 26.Nxe4 Ne5 27.Nd6 Rxd6 28.cxd6 Qxd6 29.Rd1 Qc6 30.Rd4 b5 31.cxb5 Qxb5 32.Ba4 and it's over.

GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI) handed GM R Vaishali her second loss of the event | Photo: FIDE/Przemysław Nikiel

GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN) - IM Lela Javakhishvili (GEO): 1-0 | Photo: FIDE/Przemysław Nikiel

GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) - IM Nurgyul Salimova (BUL): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: FIDE/Przemysław Nikiel

The maestro Vishy Anand joined GM Felix Blohberger (AUT) for commentary | Photo: FIDE/Przemysław Nikiel

Chief Arbiter - IA Gerhard Bertagnolli (ITA) | Photo: FIDE/Przemysław Nikiel

Round 7 in progress | Photo: FIDE/Przemysław Nikiel

Replay live stream

Replay Round 7 live commentary by GM Vishy Anand and GM Felix Blohberger (AUT) | 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 7 results

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

Details

Standings after Round 7

Rk.	SNo		Name	FED	Rtg	Pts.	TB1	TB2	TB3	Rp
1	8	GM	Muzychuk, Anna	UKR	2526	5	4	17,00	3	2641
2	4	GM	Zhu, Jiner	CHN	2541	5	3	15,00	5	2639
3	7	GM	Tan, Zhongyi	CHN	2536	4,5	4	14,00	4	2575
4	2	GM	Vaishali, Rameshbabu	IND	2475	4	3	9,75	3	2518
5	10	GM	Dzagnidze, Nana	GEO	2509	3,5	4	13,50	1	2497
6	6	GM	Kosteniuk, Alexandra	SUI	2479	3,5	4	12,75	3	2472
7	3	GM	Muzychuk, Mariya	UKR	2494	3	3	9,25	1	2422
8	1	IM	Javakhishvili, Lela	GEO	2430	2,5	3	6,75	2	2392
9	9	IM	Salimova, Nurgyul	BUL	2399	2	4	7,50	1	2339
10	5	IM	Badelka, Olga	AUT	2426	2	3	5,50	2	2319

Details

Round 8 pairings

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