Nicosia GP Round 2: Divya Deshmukh shares the point with Mariya Muzychuk

by Shahid Ahmed - 17/03/2025

IM Divya Deshmukh drew with the 15th Women's World Champion, GM Mariya Muzychuk in Round 2 at FIDE Nicosia GP 2025. IM Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE) sacrificed her queen for GM Harika Dronavalli's rook and knight. However, it was virtually impossible for Harika to break through her opponent's fortress or make progress. Thus, the game ended in a draw. GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) scored the sole win of the round against GM Elisabeth Paehtz (GER). The four pawns against bishop and two pawns seemed to be heading towards a draw until the Germany no.1 made a blunder which was one of the few ways she could lose and she did. Divya will battle against GM Aleksandra Goryachkina and Harika will be up against Jiner in the third round. Round 3 starts today from 3 p.m. local time, 6:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

Jiner wins two in-a-row

GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) has become an early sole leader by winning her first two games. IM Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE) is at 1.5/2. They are followed by six players at 1/2 including IM Divya Deshmukh and GM Harika Dronavalli.

IM Divya Deshmukh held former Women's World Champion - GM Mariya Muzychuk (UKR) to a draw | Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

Mariya - Divya: 0.5-0.5

IM Divya Deshmukh (2470) played only once earlier in a Classical rated game against the 15th Women's World Champion, GM Mariya Muzychuk (UKR, 2490) last year. It ended in a draw. This time also the color and result was the same.

GM Nana Dzagnidze (GEO) - IM Olga Badelka (AUT): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

Paehtz - Jiner

Position after 48...Bd1

Almost anything here leads to a draw, except 49.g5?? That is one of the few moves which leads to a loss for White as GM Jiner Zhu (CHN, 2514) got an opportunity to create a passed pawn on h-file 49...fxg5+ 50.hxg5 h5 Black showed correct technique to convert her advantage into a win.

Interview with GM Jiner Zhu | Video: FIDE

GM Elisabeth Paehtz (GER) - GM Jiner Zhu (CHN): 0-1 | Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

Harika - Stavroula

Position after 28.Nb6

IM Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE, 2445) decided to sacrifice her queen for a rook and knight 28...Rxb8 29.Nxd7 Bxd7 Black has a strong fortress which was not easy to break through. Thus, the game ended in a draw.

GM Harika Dronavalli - IM Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

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

Press Officer - IM FT Michael Rahal | Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

Round 2 in progress | Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz

Replay live stream

Replay Round 2 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.