The world’s chess elite gathered in Riga’s Hansas Perons centre for the opening of the 2021 FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss and the inaugural Women’s Grand Swiss.
Tournament-favorites Russia defeated the Ukraine 2.5-1.5 and 3-1 in the two rounds of the semifinals to score a 2-0 win by match points to reach the finals of the World Women's Team Championship being held at Sitges, Spain. In the other semifinal match, India drew the first round 2-2 and then scored.
Russia and Georgia reached the semifinals of the 2021 World Women's Team Championship with solid performances, while India and Ukraine overcame their rivals in varying levels of difficulty and drama during the quarterfinals. While India's victory was due to some of the wins scored by its team-members.
The FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss is a chess tournament that is part of the world championship cycle. The 2021 Grand Swiss will determine two candidates for the 2022 world championship. The 2021 Grand Swiss was announced on December 15, 2020. Its change of venue from the Isle of Man to Riga, Latvia was.