Today starts the 6th stage of Grand Prix in the capital of Qatar, Doha. This tournament causes big interest because Nana Dzagnidze (2550) in case of successful competition at Grand Pzix will get license of competing at World Championship.
Georgian chess player has already competed at the first three stages and with taking the first, the second and the third places she gained 390 points. Only Chinese Yifan Hou (410 points) is ahead of her, that why Dzagnidze needs to take the first or the second place in Doha.
Besides Dzagnidze, Maa Chiburdanidze also is competing at Grand Prix and other participants are the following: Humpu Koneru (India, 2607), Antuanetha Stepanova (Bulgaria 2546), Pia Kramling (Sweden 2516), Maris Sebag (France, 2489), Chen Zhu (Qatar, 2495), Elina Danielyan (Armenia, 2454), Yihua Khu (China, 2484) Batkhuagn Munguntaal(Mongolia, 2410), Lilit Mkrtichyan (Armenia, 2475), Martha Fuerro Baquero (Ekuador, 2363).
Nana Dzagnidze showed the best results at chess festival in Gibraltar. Then she had 10-day preparation at Bazaleti sport centre. It is remarkable that Ukrainian Specialist international master Adrian Mikhalchin trains Nana Dzagnidze. He will be next to Dzagnidze within the tournament.
The decisive stage of Grand Prix consists of 11 rounds. Nona Gaphrindashvili many times world champion is head of appellation committee. Maia Chiburdanidze and Martha Fierro Baquero were chosen as members of this committee.
Voting has already taken place in Doha and according to it Dzagnidze competes with black pieces in the first round against Indian Humpy Koneru and as for Chiburdamidze, she plays against Batkhuagn Munguntaal.
Each winner of Grand Prix’s each round will be awarded with 6 500 EUR, total prize money for the best players is 15 000 EUR.
