The Women’s Events 2024-2025 has entered its decisive phase. Following the triumphs of Vaishali R and Kateryna Lagno in the Women’s Grand Swiss, all seven leading players in the Women’s Events race secured qualification for the Women’s Candidates 2026 through various pathways. The eighth and final spot in the competition – which will determine the challenger for the women’s world title – remains open.
Currently leading the race for that last berth is Bibisara Assaubayeva (99.4 points), who sits eighth, just behind the already-qualified players. Given her impressive resume in fast time controls, the two-time World Women’s Blitz Champion appears to have the strongest claim on paper heading to the Women’s Rapid and Blitz Championships 2025.
Chasing her are Song Yuxin, Anna Muzychuk (both on 80 points), the winner of the 2022–23 Women’s Candidates Lei Tingjie (62 points), and the experienced Harika Dronavalli (58.5). All four remain strong candidates for the final slot, provided they deliver strong results at the upcoming events in Qatar.
Further down the standings, young Afruza Khamdamova, former Women’s World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk (both on 38.5), Mariya Muzychuk (26.40), Nana Dzagnidze (25), Ulviyya Fataliyeva (20), and Irina Krush (20) still have mathematical chances. With significant number of points available at the upcoming Women’s Rapid and Blitz Championships, none of them can yet be ruled out.
Each of these contenders faces the formidable challenge of outperforming the competition in the season’s final events to claim the last coveted place in the Women’s Candidates 2026.
We maintain a dedicated page on our website for the FIDE Women’s Events 2024–2025, featuring the latest information on eligible tournaments, current standings, and regulations.