Exciting Turn of Events in 2025 Pune FIDE Women’s Grand Prix: Zhu Jiner Regains Lead

GM Zhu Jiner Bounces Back to Regain Lead in 2025 Pune FIDE Women’s Grand Prix

In a thrilling turn of events, GM Zhu Jiner bounced back from a previous loss to outplay IM Divya Deshmukh and regain the lead in the 2025 Pune FIDE Women’s Grand Prix. The competition heated up as IM Alina Kashlinskaya missed a winning position against GM Humpy Koneru, allowing Zhu to take the lead once again.

Elsewhere in the tournament, GM Vaishali Rameshbabu and IM Nurgyul Salimova also faced missed opportunities in their games, while IM Batkhuyag Munguntuul ended a losing streak with her first draw of the event against IM Polina Shuvalova.

With round nine approaching, the tension is high as Zhu and Humpy are now neck-and-neck going into the final round, with a full point lead over Divya. Zhu’s solid performance in her game against Divya showcased her determination to bounce back from her previous loss.

The final round promises to be an exciting showdown, with Zhu facing Shuvalova and Humpy taking on Salimova. Only if both leaders lose can Divya catch up by beating Kashlinskaya. The battle for victory in the Grand Prix and a spot in the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament intensifies as the competition reaches its climax.

Chess enthusiasts can catch all the action on Chess.com India’s YouTube channel or follow the games on the dedicated event page. The live broadcast is hosted by IM Rakesh Kulkarni and Sahil Tickoo.

The 2025 Pune FIDE Women’s Grand Prix is part of the 2024-2025 FIDE Women’s Grand Prix series, with players competing for a top prize of €18,000 and Grand Prix points. The top two players from the series will qualify for the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament to determine the World Championship challenger.

Don’t miss the thrilling conclusion of the 2025 Pune FIDE Women’s Grand Prix as the top players battle it out for victory and a chance to advance to the next stage of the competition.