Bibisara Assaubayeva Takes Sole Lead in 2024 Tbilisi FIDE Women’s Grand Prix

20-year-old IM Bibisara Assaubayeva made a stunning move in the endgame to defeat GM Alexandra Kosteniuk and take the sole lead in the 2024 Tbilisi FIDE Women’s Grand Prix. With just two rounds to go, Assaubayeva’s win was the only decisive game in round seven, propelling her to the top of the standings.

In a tense battle, Assaubayeva found a brilliant sequence of moves to secure the victory against Kosteniuk. Despite being the only player to have won two games in the tournament so far, Assaubayeva faces tough competition from a four-player chasing pack just half a point behind.

With a third grandmaster norm within reach, Assaubayeva needs to score 1.5/2 in her remaining games to secure her spot at the top. The remaining games in round seven were drawn, with some missed opportunities for players like Mariya Muzychuk and IM Sara Khadem.

As the tournament heads into the final two rounds, the competition is heating up with players like Stavroula Tsolakidou and Nana Dzagnidze hot on Assaubayeva’s heels. The 2024 Tbilisi FIDE Women’s Grand Prix is the first of six legs in the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix series, with players vying for a chance to qualify for the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament.

Round eight of the tournament will start on Friday, August 23, with Assaubayeva looking to maintain her lead and secure her spot at the top of the standings.