WGP Austria: Badelka, Vaishali and Tan start with wins
Round one saw a fiery start to the final leg of the 2024/2025 FIDE Women’s Grand Prix. IM Olga Badelka upset the former World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk, Vaishali capitalised on Salimova’s time trouble and Tan emerged victorious as Black against Zhu in a marathon five-and-a-half-hour game. A strong start for the host country as Olga Badelka, representing Austria, defeated former World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk. Despite being lower-rated and under time pressure, Badelka held her nerve and turned the tables in a sharp battle. One of the event’s favorites, Zhu Jiner, was under pressure and defended for a long time against Tan. Though both players missed chances in a complicated position, Zhu eventually cracked in a bishop vs rook endgame. Vaishali edged out Salimova in a balanced game, where better time management and control over the dark squares proved decisive. The Muzychuk sisters drew quickly in a short game. By contrast, Lela Javakhishvili and Nana Dzagnidze of Georgia fought for over five hours before agreeing to a draw in a grueling, evenly contested game. The tension at the start The small G’Schlössl Murtal in the southern Austrian hills was abuzz with tension as ten chess players arrived for the first round in the final battle of the Women’s Grand Prix. After clearing the Fair Play checks—which ensured no phones or electronic devices were brought in—the players took their seats. The venue, a picturesque orangery nestled in a tranquil park, offered a calming view as they settled in for round one. At 3 p.m. sharp, Chief Arbiter Gerhard Bertagnolli of Italy signalled the start of play. The President of the Austrian Chess Federation, Michael Stöttinger, made the ceremonial first move in the game between Austria’s Olga Badelka and former Women’s World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk. As the clocks began to tick, the final leg of a six-tournament campaign was officially underway. But this Austrian stage will not be like the others. Instead, it will be the final verdict of the 2024/25 FIDE Women’s Grand Prix. Here’s a closer look at the games from round one. Olga Badelka vs Alexandra Kosteniuk, 1-0 The most exciting game of the round was played between the home player IM Olga Badelka (who commanded the white pieces) and GM Alexandra Koteniuk, representing Switzerland. Badelka chose the sharp Marshall Gambit in the Triangle Slav, signalling her intent to play for complications. In this well-known position, Kosteniuk has just snatched the g2-pawn with 9…Qxg2, which is considered to be very risky for Black. Unsurprisingly, the evaluation bar raced up for White immediately. The engine recommended the cold-blooded 10.Qd2—inviting Black to take the rook on h1 and walk into a likely ambush. Another well-known line starts with 10.Bf3 and also promises an advantage for White. However, Badelka played the more natural-looking 10.Qd6. After 10…Bd7 11.Bf3 Qg5 12.Rd1 0-0-0 Badelka, down two pawns, was compelled to keep pressing. The opponents traded errors in a very complicated position at this stage. Eventually, Kosteniuk grabbed her third extra pawn — emerging with a clear material advantage and a healthy lead on the clock. Badelka tried her last chance, throwing everything in, playing for time and trying to stay in the game. Somewhat surprisingly, it worked out for her! The last critical position emerged on move 35. Black is clearly better, but has to decide how to deal with her g7-pawn. Kosteniuk played 35…g6? (instead of the much stronger 35…g5!) which marked the beginning of her collapse. After 36.Qxh6 Rd4? 37.Qf8 Rd8? 38.h6 the tables have turned completely: White has advanced her h-pawn, regained the initiative and, within easy reach of move 40, escaped time trouble. The rest was a smooth sail for Badelka who won on move 43. The game was a fortunate break for the young Austrian IM. Despite being the underdog and in time trouble, she followed the cardinal rule: keep playing, don’t blunder, and survive to move 40. In the end, it was Kosteniuk who misplayed it all and lost. In the post-game interview, Badelka said she was “tired, excited and stressed” at the same time, noting that staying focused on the position and just wanting to “survive” kept her going. With just 25 points in the WGP, Badelka is not in contention for the top overall places. However, this victory is a welcome start for this event—not just for her, but also for Austria, as one of their own opens the tournament with a win on home soil. Vaishali Rameshbabu vs Nurgyul Salimova, 1-0 Roughly 10 minutes before Badelka sealed her win, India’s Vaishali Rameshbabu defeated Bulgaria’s Nurgyul Salimova. The youngest player in the tournament, 21-year-old Salimova, opted for the Caro-Kann and the opponents quickly entered uncharted waters. Vaishali grabbed advantage early on but played somewhat sluggishly, and with a timely move 14…c5, Black equalised. By move 19, the queens were off the board, but White had a slight edge thanks to a knight vs a “bad” bishop. At some point Salimova should have temporarily sacrificed her b3-pawn to activate her pieces, but she opted for a passive approach, allowing Vaishali to gradually take control. White is now winning. Soon, Vaishali captured the b3-pawn. With two queenside runners, it was a matter of technique—one Salimova didn’t care to test. She resigned on move 35. A great start for the Indian superstar in her third tournament of the year. Zhu Jiner vs Tan Zhongyi, 0-1 The longest game of the day – lasting five and a half hours – was played between one of the favourites Zhu Jiner, and former World Champion Tan Zhongyi. In the Classical Ruy Lopez, the opponents waged a protracted positional battle in a balanced game. A characteristic of this opening, but near the time control it turned into a real rollercoaster. The position is about equal, but both have to be very careful. 38.Nd6?? A serious mistake, handing Black a decisive advantage. After 38…Bxd6 39.Rxb5 Rxb5 40.exd6 Black emerged an exchange up, with a runner on the a-file and controls the main files. However, the
World Schools Team Championship Returns – this time in the USA!
Following the resounding success of its inaugural edition in Kazakhstan, the FIDE World Schools Team Championship is back — and it’s set to be bigger and more global than ever before! The 2025 edition of this landmark scholastic event will take place from August 2-7 at the renowned Episcopal High School, approximately 11 km south of downtown Washington D.C.. Organized by FIDE in collaboration with the International School Chess Federation (ISCF) and proudly supported by Freedom Holding Corp., the championship invites teams nominated by their national federations, representing general educational institutions from all over the world. Specifically aimed at grassroots school chess clubs, the Championship marks another important step in FIDE’s long-term commitment to expanding global outreach for chess in schools. Building on the energy and spirit of the 2023 event in Aktau, Kazakhstan, this year’s championship promises even greater participation – with more countries, more teams, and more bright young talents coming together for a truly one-of-a-kind international competition. “The inaugural edition in Kazakhstan was a huge success – not just in terms of numbers, but in the atmosphere of excellence and team spirit that defined the event,” said Emil Sutovsky, CEO of FIDE. “In 2025, we’re taking it to the next level. We expect a record number of teams and look forward to welcoming young chess players from every continent. We are deeply grateful to Freedom Holding Corp. for their unwavering support and commitment. I’m especially excited about the introduction of the Smart Moves Summit, which expands the impact of this championship by bringing together global thought leaders to explore how chess can transform education and empower the next generation.” The tournament will be played over 8 rounds, in a Swiss format, with each team consisting of four main players, mixed age, one reserve and one non-playing captain. Time control is 45 minutes + 10 seconds per move, with two games per day across four action-packed days. Smart Moves Summit Beyond the board, the event will also host the Smart Moves Summit — a conference designed to spotlight the intersection of chess and education. Parents, school leaders, researchers, edtech innovators, chess-related businesses, marketing partners, officials, and many other chess enthusiasts from over 20 countries will come together to share insights, case studies, and future-forward ideas on how chess can shape learning environments and empower students. Expect inspiring keynotes from top chess influencers, visionary educators, and thought leaders in cognitive science. Take part in practical teacher trainings, interactive panels, and global school partnerships — all focused on how chess builds confidence, critical thinking, and deeper learning in today’s classrooms. “We wanted to go beyond simply organizing another chess tournament for children. Our goal was to bring together school teachers and experts from around the world to share their experiences and enhance their chess programs with fresh approaches and ideas. This parallel program ensures that coaches, parents, and guests also have a meaningful and enriching experience while their teams compete,” said Timur Turlov, President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, CEO of Freedom Holding Corp., and President of the International School Chess Federation. Venue: Episcopal High School Located just outside Washington, D.C., Episcopal High School offers a stunning campus with state-of-the-art facilities, historic architecture, and a strong tradition of academic and extracurricular excellence. It’s a perfect backdrop for a tournament that aims to inspire students to think critically, compete fairly, and connect globally. The World Schools Team Championship 2025 is a milestone on the international chess calendar – a place where future stars are born, friendships are forged, and school pride shines on the world stage. For federations and schools interested in participating, registration will open soon. All official invitations and procedures will be communicated through FIDE channels. For inquiries and further information: E-mail: worldschoolteam@fide.com