The FIDE Women’s World Chess Cup 2023 took place from 29th July to 22nd August in Baku, Azerbaijan, gathering 103 players who fought for the total prize fund of 676.250 USD and three qualification spots for the Women’s Candidates Tournament 2024.
GM Aleksandra Goryachkina (FIDE, 2557) emerged as the Winner of the event after defeating 20-year-old IM Nurgyul Salimova (BUL, 2409) in the thrilling final match. After both classical games finished in a draw, despite Salimova having the winning chances in the second game with Whites, the match advanced to the tiebreaks. The Bulgarian opened the tiebreak match very well, reaching a much better position in the first 25-minute rapid game. However, she missed her chance to score and Goryachkina punished her with the cruel victory in the second rapid game.
With the final tiebreak score of 1.5-0.5, Aleksandra Goryackina clinched the FIDE Women’s World Chess Cup 2023 and won the money prize of 50.000 USD.
IM Nurgyul Salimova finished the event with the silver medal in her hands and booked herself a seat in the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2024. Salimova also won her second GM norm and won the money prize of 35.000 USD.
The match for the third pace was played between GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR, 2504) and GM Tan Zhongyi (CHN, 2523). The match finished after two classical games as Muzychuk used the advantage of White pieces to win the first game and won the bronze medal with a draw in the second game. Anna Muzychuk won the prize 25.000 USD and qualified for the Women’s Candidates 2024.
The Closing ceremony of the event took place after the tiebrek match for the first place, and was attended by the FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich who also took part in the awarding.
Photos by: FIDE/ Stev Bonhage and Maria Emelianova (chess.com)
