Bulgaria’s “Shining Rose” Nurgyul Salimova won Second Place at the World Chess Cup

Nurgyul Salimova lost to Aleksandra Goryachkina in the second game of accelerated chess from the tiebreak of the World Chess Cup final in Baku. Thus, the 20-year-old Bulgarian with 1.5:2.5 points took the second place in the tournament, which is her biggest success.

The second tiebreak began with a denied queen' gambit passed to a Catalan opening. Already in the opening moves, Goryachkina managed to gain a pawn advantage, which turned out to be decisive in the endgame. In it, the Russian managed to make two passing pawns, and on the 105th move, playing with the black pieces, Nurgyul was forced to resign.

For her success, the Bulgarian chess player received 35 thousand dollars from the prize fund.

Qualifying for the final of the second edition of the World Chess Cup is the most significant achievement in the career of the 20-year-old graduate of Zivko Zhelev among women. On her way to it, the former U12 girls world champion overcame South Africa's Charlize van Zyl by 2:0 points, Poland's Oliwia Kiolbasa by 1.5:0.5 points, India's Mary Ann Gomes by 2:0 points, Medina Warda Aulia from Indonesia with 2.5:1.5 points, Polina Shuvalova from Russia with 3:1 points and Anna Muzychuk from Ukraine with 3.5:2.5 points.

By qualifying for the World Cup final, both Salimova and Goryachkina secured a spot in the world title contenders tournament. It will be held in Toronto from April 2 to 25, 2024.

Why was Nurgyul Salimova alone in Baku?

Along Nurgul Salimova's triumphant path at the World Cup in Baku, the leading theme in Bulgaria was that she was absolutely alone there, if you do not count the other three Bulgarian competitors, which already dropped out.

Salimova battled rivals who could rely on entire staffs -...