The exact format of the Women World Chess Cup 2025 is to be announced.

Live now: FIDE Tbilisi Women Grand Prix 2024

Press release by FIDE

During the celebration of FIDE’s centenary in Tbilisi, FIDE announced the official dates and location for the highly anticipated 2025 Women’s World Cup. This prestigious event will take place in the picturesque seaside city of Batumi, Georgia, from July 5 to 29, 2025.

Georgia holds a special place in the history of women’s chess, having produced some of the most legendary female players in the world. Batumi, known for its beautiful Black Sea coastline, is a fitting venue for this major tournament, which will gather the world’s top female chess players in a battle for glory.

Chess in Georgia

Georgia’s legacy in women’s chess is unparalleled. The country is home to iconic figures like Nona Gaprindashvili, the first woman to be awarded the title of Grandmaster by FIDE in 1978. Gaprindashvili was a five-time Women’s World Chess Champion, holding the title from 1962 to 1978, and her achievements laid the foundation for Georgia’s continued excellence in the sport. Another legend, Maia Chiburdanidze, succeeded Gaprindashvili as Women’s World Champion at 17, becoming the youngest player ever to win the title at that time. Chiburdanidze held the championship for 13 years, further solidifying Georgia’s reputation as a dominant force in women’s chess. These legendary players have inspired generations and maintained the country’s strong tradition in chess. It is no coincidence that Georgians are the reigning Women’s World Team Champions.

The 2025 Women’s World Cup is a celebration of this rich heritage. Hosting the event in Georgia is a nod to the country’s contribution to women’s chess and a reminder of the enduring legacy of its champions. It is a fitting tribute to a nation that has shaped the course of women’s chess history and continues to be an inspiration for future generations.

World Cup 2025

Selection

The Women’s World Cup selection process remains consistent with the 2023 format, ensuring that the strongest and most deserving players will compete.

103 players will be selected according to specific criteria.

Prize Fund

The prize fund will also match that of the previous edition; a total prize fund of US$676,250, with the first prize of US$50,000, maintaining the tournament’s status as one of the most lucrative in women’s chess.

Furthermore, the top three finishers in the Women’s World Cup will earn their spots in the 2025-26 Women’s Candidates Tournament, setting the stage for the next World Championship cycle.

Previous Edition

The 2023 edition of the Women’s World Cup was a highly competitive and thrilling event held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from July 30 to August 20, 2023. The tournament featured a knockout format, with intense matches that showcased the highest level of skill and determination. Aleksandra Goryachkina emerged victorious, adding this prestigious title to her already impressive record. Notably, Nurgyul Salimova reached the finals, which propelled her to the elite and reserved her spot in the Candidates.

Photo: Stev Bonhage

While the regulations for the tournament are still being finalized, with the potential for format changes, the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Cup promises to be another exciting and competitive event. FIDE is committed to delivering an unforgettable competition that will not only honor the rich legacy of women’s chess in Georgia but also contribute to the growth of women’s chess worldwide.

Tbilisi Women Grand Prix 2024 live games

FIDE Tblilisi Grand Prix 2024 Press release

There is no better place than Georgia to launch the new season of the Women’s Grand Prix. As the birthplace of chess legends like former Women’s World Champions Nona Gaprindashvili (the first woman to be awarded the title of Grandmaster) and Maia Chiburdanidze, as well as three-time Soviet Women’s Champion Nana Alexandria, Georgia holds a revered place in chess history. The country continues to produce world-class talent, including Nana Dzagnidze, Nino Batsiashvili, Lela Javakhishvili, and Bella Khotenashvili, making it a fitting host for this landmark event.

“We are delighted that this event will start in Georgia, given the country’s rich chess legacy,” said FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich.

“FIDE has made women’s chess one of its priorities, and the updated Women’s Grand Prix series is an opportunity to further raise awareness of women’s chess, hopefully getting more female players and more sponsors involved”.

The 2024/25 WGP series introduces several key changes, including an increase in participants from 16 to 20, an expansion from four to six tournaments, and a larger prize fund of 120,000 euros. Each player will compete in three of the six tournaments, earning points based on their standings in each event. The top two players in the series will secure spots in the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament.

The Tbilisi tournament

The tournament in Tbilisi will take place at the Biltmore Tbilisi Hotel – the first glass skyscraper in Georgia and the highest hotel in the Caucasus Region. This inaugural event features a strong lineup, including two former Women’s World Champions—Alexandra Kosteniuk, winner of the Munich leg in the 2022/23 series, and Mariya Muzychuk—alongside some of the most promising players in the chess world today.

First round and time control

The first round starts on Thursday, 3 PM local time in Tbilisi. The time control will be 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move one.

Lichess commentary on the 2024-2025 Grand Prix expectations

The world’s leading online free chess server Lichess comments on the upcoming Grand Prix, “Historically, the Women’s Grand Prix has been notoriously predictable. Hou Yifan won every series she played, and Humpy finished 2nd in the first five series, both of which are basically what you would have expected. When Ju Wenjun and Aleksandra Goryachkina won, they weren’t the highest-rated players at the beginning, but they were by the end. Following those expectations, whoever wins this series will probably be the highest-rated among the participants whenever it ends late next year. Right now, the highest-rated players in order are Tan Zhongyi, Lei Tingjie, and Aleksandra Goryachkina. Is that who you would expect to win? Tan probably won’t need the Candidates spot. Lei Tingjie has never played the Grand Prix before. Goryachkina has been one of the best Grand Prix participants, medalling in five of six events, but even she limped to the finish line last time and only ended up second. With the form Vaishali has shown in the past 12 months, it’s not crazy to think she could jump up 50 Elo and steal the series.”