Savitha Shri wins Gold at 21st Asian Individual Women 2026

By admin June 8, 2026 0 comments

IM Savitha Shri B defeated WGM Anna Shukhman to clinch Gold at Asian Individual Women 2026.

Savitha qualifies to the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2027

In a battle between two former Asian Junior Girls’ Champion, IM Savitha Shri B won against WGM Anna Shukhman to finish with an unbeaten 7.5/9. WGM Afruza Khamdamova (UZB) also won her final round game against WIM Muziyan Gao (CHN). However, Savitha became the champion due to better tie-break score, Afruza had to settle for Silver. The top seed of the event, IM Yuxin Song (CHN) scored 6.5/9 to clinch Bronze. IM Vantika Agrawal and WGM Mary Ann Gomes also scored the same points. They were placed sixth and eighth according to tie-breaks. WGM Rakshitta Ravi scored 6/9 to finish tenth.

*21st Asian Individual Women’s 2026 Champion – IM Savitha Shri B 7.5/9 | Photo: India in Mongolia*

Savitha became the 11th Indian to win Gold at Asian Individual Women crown. Previous winners were – WIM Rohini Khadilkar (1981 and 1983), WIM Anupama Gokhale (1985), WIM Bhagyasree Thipsay (1991), GM Humpy Koneru (2003), IM Tania Sachdev (2007), GM Harika Dronavalli (2011), IM Bhakti Kulkarni (2016), IM Padmini Rout (2018), WGM Nandhidhaa P V (2022) and IM Divya Deshmukh (2023).

In the Open section, IM Xiangrui Kong (CHN), GM Xiao Tong (CHN, Qd) and GM Zhamsaran Tsydypov scored 7/9 each. They secured Gold, Silver and Bronze medal respectively according to tie-breaks. GM Pranav Anand is the sole Indian to make a top ten finish. He scored 6.5/9 to finish tenth.

The total prize fund was US$ 100000, $60000 for Men and $40000 for Women. The top three prizes in Men were $15000, $11000 and $9000, for Women, they were $12000, $9000 and $6000 each respectively.

Savitha – Afruza, Round 8

In a winning position, IM Savitha Shri B (2348) made a nice pawn sacrifice 41.d6+! to open up the position and also gain an exchange Bxd6 42.Nb6 Rb8 43.Nd5+ Kf8 44.Nxb4 and White went on to win the game in the next few moves.

Shukhman – Savitha, Round 9

WGM Anna Shukhman (2456) blundered under pressure 32.Qf2?? Find out the winning continuation for Black which Savitha found, won the game and clinched the Gold.

*IM Savitha Shri B en route her final round victory | Photo: Asian Individual Chess Championship 2026*

*IM Savitha Shri B scored an unbeaten 7.5/9, won the tournament on tie-breaks, performed at 2555, gained 19.5 Elo rating points and qualified to FIDE Women’s World Cup 2027*

Replay all available Women games

A total of 102 players including 10 IMs, 11 WGMs and 2 WIMs took part from 17 countries across Asia. The nine-day nine-round Asian Individual Women’s Championship was organized by Mongolian Chess Federation in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from 29th May to 6th June 2026. The time control of the tournament was 40 moves in 90 minutes + 30 minutes + 30 seconds increment.

Final standings

Details

Links

Tournament Regulations

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