The fourth leg of the 2024-25 FIDE Women's Grand Prix is set to take place in Nicosia, Cyprus, from March 14-25, under the auspices of the International Chess Federation and Cyprus Chess Federation. This event brings the tournament series to the idyllic Mediterranean setting, where ten of the world's leading female players will gather in the capital city to battle not only for prizes but also for the critical Grand Prix points that will determine qualification for the next FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament.
The Grand Prix series features 20 players, with each player participating in three of the six tournaments. Each event is a 10-player round-robin, where participants earn points based on their final standings. The series winner is determined by the total cumulative points earned across all three tournaments played.
Prize Fund: €80,000 per event, with an additional €120,000 distributed among the top 10 finishers in the overall standings.
Qualification: The top two players from the series will qualify for the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament.
Participants
The event boasts a stellar lineup, including Aleksandra Goryachkina, who leads the Grand Prix standings after consecutively winning the second and third legs in Shymkent and Monaco. She is joined by Indian stars Harika Dronavalli and Divya Deshmukh, and the celebrated Muzychuk sisters, Anna and Mariya. The competition will also include former European Champion Nana Dzagnidze, German No. 1 Elisabeth Paehtz, Greece’s top player Stavroula Tsolakidou, and this season’s newcomers, Zhu Jiner, and Olga Badelka, who replace Lei Tingjie and Regina Theissl-Pokorna in the series.
After three out of four legs completed, Aleksandra Goryachkina leads the Grand Prix standings having secured first place in both the Shymkent and Monaco legs. This is her final opportunity to accumulate points.
FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich emphasized the importance of the Grand Prix series as a dedication to advancing women's chess, stating, "This tournament not only showcases the exceptional talents of the women's elite in chess but also reinforces our commitment to promoting chess globally" further adding that, "Creating a strong women chess community is very important for us to continue pursuing our goals and representing the interests of women in chess. We look forward to witnessing high-level chess in Cyprus."
Timur Turlov, CEO of Freedom Holding Corp., expressed his support for the event, stating, "We value chess not only for its intellectual depth and versatility, but also for the opportunity for everyone to show their strength at the board, regardless of gender and age. Today, women are increasingly confident and brightly declaring themselves in the chess world, demonstrating exceptional willpower, strategic thinking, and strength of character. They break stereotypes and prove that chess is a unique space for self-expression. Freedom Holding Corp., as one of the largest sponsors of the chess movement, is proud to support this inspiring trend. We believe in the power of women's skill and will follow the fourth stage of the World Grand Prix with interest."
Evgenii Tiapkin, Executive Director at Freedom24, reaffirmed the company's commitment to promoting chess in Cyprus, stating, "On the eve of the fourth stage of the FIDE Women's Grand Prix in Nicosia, supported by Freedom24, we reaffirm our commitment to promoting chess in Cyprus through our partnership with the Cyprus Chess Federation. Chess cultivates strategic thinking and resilience, qualities that are invaluable both in sports and in life. As part of our long-term dedication, I am pleased to announce the upcoming opening of the Freedom Chess Academy in Limassol, aimed at nurturing future champions and promoting the game within local communities."
Criton Tornaritis, President of the Cyprus Chess Federation, highlighted the significance of hosting the tournament in Cyprus: "We are proud to see Cyprus emerging as a key destination for world-class chess events. The strong partnership between FIDE, the Cyprus Chess Federation, and our partners at Freedom24 is creating the way for a new era of chess development in the country. This collaboration not only brings top-level tournaments to Cyprus but also fosters new opportunities for players and the broader chess community. We look forward to building on this success and further expanding our initiatives."
Join us in Cyprus to witness world-class chess as these elite players compete for glory and a spot in the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament. For more information and live updates, visit the official website.
.png)