New Delhi: The battleground of intellect and strategy, the Women’s Chess World Cup 2023, has drawn to a close, and it’s Aleksandra Goryachkina who emerges as the victor.
This 103-player single-elimination chess tournament, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, from July 29 to August 22, 2023, marked the second edition of the Women’s Chess World Cup.
With the spotlight on Baku, the Azerbaijan Chess Federation played host to this intense intellectual showdown. Notably, the top three contenders from this tournament will secure their tickets to the Women’s Candidates Tournament 2024, setting the stage for even more exhilarating chess battles.
Aleksandra Goryachkina’s Triumph
Aleksandra Goryachkina has emerged as the champion of the Women’s Chess World Cup 2023, a testament to her strategic prowess and unwavering dedication to the game.
Aleksandra Goryachkina is the winner of the 2023 FIDE Women’s World Cup! 🏆
Aleksandra clinches the title and the $50,000 prize by winning today’s tiebreaks against Nurgyul Salimova. Congratulations! 👏
📷 Anna Shtourman pic.twitter.com/5Py16IL38X
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) August 21, 2023
Goryachkina secured the top prize of $50,000 and secured her place in chess history. Her rival, Nurgyul Salimova, who exhibited remarkable skill and resilience throughout the tournament, secured the second prize of $35,000. Beyond the financial rewards, both finalists earned a prestigious ticket to the forthcoming Women’s Candidates Tournament 2024, a platform that holds the promise of further grandeur and the opportunity to vie for the ultimate chess glory.
Nurgyul Salimova is the runner-up of the 2023 FIDE Women’s World Cup! 🥈
The Bulgarian IM caps an outstanding tournament with the second prize of $35,000 and a spot in the next Women’s Candidates tournament. Congratulations! 👏
📷 Maria Emelianova pic.twitter.com/5kby8G1brs
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) August 21, 2023
Who is Aleksandra Goryachkina?
Russian chess prodigy Aleksandra Yuryevna Goryachkina, born on September 28, 1998, has firmly established herself as a force to be reckoned with in the chess world. Holding the esteemed title of Grandmaster (GM), Goryachkina currently ranks as the world’s No. 2 female chess player, a close second only to Hou Yifan, as per FIDE ratings. Her peak rating of 2611 places her among the top-rated women in chess history and makes her the highest-rated Russian female player ever.
Goryachkina’s chess journey has been marked by remarkable achievements. She has clinched the title of Russian Women’s Chess Champion three times, conquering the championship podium in 2015, 2017, and 2020. Notably, her exceptional prowess earned her the distinction of being the challenger in the 2020 Women’s World Championship match, where she engaged in an intense battle but ultimately lost to Ju Wenjun in rapid tiebreaks.
Her ascent in the chess world began at a young age, buoyed by her chess-oriented family background. With her father serving as a chess coach and both parents boasting ratings above 2200, Goryachkina’s path was paved for success. Her natural talent shone early as she clinched victories in the under-10, under-14, and under-18 girls’ divisions of the World Youth Chess Championship. Adding to her accolades, she secured two girls’ World Junior Champion titles.
Women’s Chess World Cup 2023
The Women’s Chess World Cup 2023 brought together a diverse array of exceptional chess talents, with participants battling it out based on their FIDE ratings as of July 2023. The formidable Ju Wenjun, reigning Women’s World Chess Champion, held the top seed position.
The schedule was meticulously crafted, with each round spanning three days: two for the classical time-limit games and a third, if necessary, for tie-breaks. The early rounds unfolded from July 30 to August 7, followed by a well-deserved rest day on August 8. The intensity resumed for Rounds 4 to 6 from August 9 to 17, followed by another rest day on August 18.
The climactic final showdown and the third-place match captivated chess enthusiasts from August 19 to 21.
