After nine intense days of strategic battles over the board, players, arbiters, and organizers took a much-needed break to recharge before the final stretch of the tournament.
The Georgian Chess Federation hosted a cultural outing that offered a welcome change of pace, blending local flavour with warm hospitality.
Set against the serene backdrop of the Kintrishi River in the Kobuleti hills, the Riverside Restaurant provided a tranquil escape from the competitive tension.
Guests were treated to a culinary masterclass led by local chefs, followed by a feast of traditional Georgian delicacies: fragrant Majuni rice, rich Iakhni beef stew, succulent pork and chicken Mtsvadi, and the comforting blend of cheese and egg in borano dishes.
Even a spot of rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of the 20-strong group, as the celebration carried on with music, light dancing, and a delightful surprise — a chess-themed cake to mark the occasion.
It was a joyful afternoon of shared culture and camaraderie, reminding everyone that even amid fierce competition, there is always room for connection and celebration.
The World Cup will continue tomorrow with Round 4. Only 16 players are left in contention and these are the pairings:
Lei Tingjie-Omonova
Dzagnidze-M. Muzychuk
Humpy-Kosteniuk
Song-Javakhishvili
Zhu Jiner-Divya
Lagno-Harika
Tan Zhongyi-Osmak
Kamalidenova-Vaishali
Text by: IM Michael Rahal (Batumi, Georgia)
Photos: Anna Shtourman
About the tournament:
Scheduled to take place from July 6th to July 28th, the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Cup will gather together in Batumi (Georgia) the world’s best female chess players. A total of 107 players from 46 different federations are set to participate in the event, including seventeen of the current top twenty!
Chess legends, seasoned professionals and emerging talents will play for the $50.000 first prize, in addition to three qualifying spots for the Candidates.
The full pairings tree and day-by-day results can be found on the World Cup website.
Follow the games live and watch the action with expert commentary provided by GM Valeriane Gaprindashvili and IM Almira Skripchenko on FIDE Youtube channel.
