Ju Wenjun emerged winner of the 2nd FIDE Women’s Grand-Prix after collecting 7,5/11 points in the dramatic finish. The tournament was held from 11-23rd February in Tehran, Iran.
GM Ju Wenjun and the local star IM Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, who was the lowest rated player in the tournament, entered the last round with equal points.
Khademalsharieh stumbled in the final yards, losing with white pieces to Natalia Zhukova. Meanwhile, Wenjun drew Harika Dronavalli and this was enough for the clear first place.
Another Chinese player, Zhao Xue, was in position to catch the winner, but she couldn’t win against Valentina Gunina.
Replay games with analysis / Official website
Final standings:
1. GM Ju Wenjun 2558 CHN – 7½
2-3. IM Khademalsharieh Sarasadat 2403 IRI and GM Zhao Xue 2506 CHN – 7
4-5. WGM Pogonina Natalija 2454 RUS and GM Dzagnidze Nana 2529 GEO – 6½
6. GM Koneru Humpy 2583 IND – 6
7. GM Zhukova Natalia 2484 UKR – 5½
8-9. GM Gunina Valentina 2496 RUS and GM Harika Dronavalli 2511 IND – 4½
10. GM Cramling Pia 2521 SWE – 4
11-12. GM Stefanova Antoaneta 2509 BUL and IM Batsiashvili Nino 2485 GEO – 3½
