Zhu Jiner Retains Sole Lead in 2025 Pune FIDE Women’s Grand Prix After Round Four

In a thrilling round four of the 2025 Pune FIDE Women’s Grand Prix, GM Zhu Jiner emerged victorious against IM Alina Kashlinskaya to maintain her lead with 3.5/4. Local favorites GM Humpy Koneru and IM Divya Deshmukh are just half a point behind, after securing wins against IMs Polina Shuvalova and Salome Melia, respectively.

The round also saw IM Batkhuyag Munguntuul missing out on joining the leaders after a blunder led to a loss against IM Nurgyul Salimova. The only draw of the round was between GM Harika Dronavalli and GM Vaishali Rameshbabu, where Harika missed a winning opportunity.

With round five set to begin on Friday, April 18, at 5:30 a.m. ET, the competition is heating up as Zhu looks to maintain her lead. The event is part of the 2024-2025 FIDE Women’s Grand Prix series, with players vying for a top prize of €18,000 and a chance to qualify for the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament.

Stay tuned for more exciting chess action as the players battle it out for supremacy in Pune!