Nicosia GP Round 1: Divya Deshmukh draws with Harika Dronavalli

by Shahid Ahmed - 16/03/2025

IM Divya Deshmukh drew her first round game against GM Harika Dronavalli at FIDE Nicosia GP 2025. Harika opted for the Berlin Defence in the Ruy Lopez. The nature of this opening is drawish. Pieces got exchanged at regular intervals and the game was drawn after 50 moves. IM Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE) capitalized on her opportunity when her opponent, GM Elisabeth Paehtz (GER) missed a tactical idea in the back rank. GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) outplayed IM Olga Badelka (AUT). Stavroula and Jiner are the only two victors of the round. Harika will face Stavroula in Round 2 and Divya will be up against GM Mariya Muzychuk (UKR). Round 2 starts today from 3 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

Stavroula and Jiner make a winning start

IM Divya Deshmukh started the tournament with a draw against GM Harika Dronavalli | Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

Divya - Harika: 0.5-0.5

IM Divya Deshmukh (2470) faced GM Harika Dronavalli (2483) in three Classical rated games. Harika won two and the third one ended in a draw. In their fourth Classical battle, the GM opted for the Berlin Defence in the Ruy Lopez. Pieces got exchanged at regular intervals and the game ended in a draw after 50 moves.

GM Aleksandra Goryachkina - GM Nana Dzagnidze (GEO): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

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

Interview with IM Stavroula Tsolakidou | Video: FIDE

GM Elisabeth Paehtz (GER) missed a tactical idea and paid a heavy price against IM Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE) | Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

Interview with GM Jiner Zhu | Video: FIDE

GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) outplayed IM Olga Badelka (AUT) | Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

Evgenii Tiapkin, Executive Director of main sponsor Freedom24, made the ceremonial first move on Stavroula Tsolakidou and Elisabeth Paehtz's board | Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

Arbiters - IA FI WFM Margit Brokko (EST) and IA FI Panagiotis Nikolopoulos (GRE) | Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

Round 1 in progress | Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

Replay live stream

Replay Round 1 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.