Aleksandra Goryachkina clinched gold at the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Baku after beating Nurgyul Salimova in rapid tiebreaks. The Russian grandmaster entered the tournament as the second seed, and needed to show great technique to take down the over-performing Bulgarian underdog. Anna Muzychuk also reached the podium, as she beat Tan Zhongyi in the match for third place. Thanks to this win, Muzychuk gained a spot in the 2024 Women’s Candidates Tournament. | Photo: FIDE / Stev Bonhage
Dinara Wagner grabbed a full point in the final round to win the Women’s Grand Prix in Nicosia, the last event of the 2-year series. Wagner, the lowest-rated player in the field, played enterprisingly from the get go to beat Bella Khotenashvili with black. Kateryna Lagno and Aleksandra Goryachkina both drew with white to secure spots in the next edition of the Women’s Candidates. | Photo: FIDE / Mark Livshitz