FIDE Confirms Pools Ahead of 2025 Women’s Team Championship in Spain

The pools for the 2025 FIDE World Women’s Team Championship were officially announced by the International Chess Federation (FIDE) just days before the event’s opening in Linares, Spain. The championship is scheduled to be held from November 17 to 24, 2025, in a city widely recognised for its historic association with world chess. Early-arriving teams were welcomed in Linares by Javier Ochoa de Echaguen, President of the Spanish Chess Federation, who said that the delegations were being received with great honour in the culturally rich chess venue.

In Pool A, a strong lineup has been formed with Team FIDE placed at the top with an average rating of 2496, led by GM Aleksandra Goryachkina. A competitive challenge is expected from Team USA, which has been placed with an average rating of 2406 under IM Carissa Yip. Team Kazakhstan has been assigned an average rating of 2381, with GM Bibisara Assaubayeva leading the squad. Due to the late withdrawal of Team Algeria following visa difficulties, Team Azerbaijan has been nominated as the replacement. The Azerbaijani team has been placed with a 2366 average rating, led by IM Ulviyya Fataliyeva, thereby increasing the overall strength of the pool. Host nation Spain has been grouped with an average rating of 2339, headed by IM Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, while Peru, led by IM Deysi Cori T., has entered the pool with an average rating of 2207 supported by promising young players.

Pool B has been headlined by the return of GM Hou Yifan, the four-time Women’s World Champion, whose presence has been regarded as a major highlight of the tournament. She has been placed at the top board for Team China, which enters with an average rating of 2473. Team Georgia, led by GM Nino Batsiashvili, has been listed with a 2430 average rating, while Team Ukraine, under the leadership of IM Yuliia Osmak, has been placed with an average rating of 2399. Three teams—France (2353), Uzbekistan (2336), and India (2334)—have been grouped closely in strength, each fielding lineups that include experienced International Masters and Women Grandmasters. The teams from Uzbekistan and India have been noted for their young squads, who are expected to gain valuable international exposure during the championship.

The staging of the event in Linares has been described by Ochoa de Echaguen as an honour for Spain, as the city is known for its traditional place in world chess history. It has been stated that the players, coaches, and accompanying staff will be provided with a well-organised competition environment reflecting the values of respect, excellence, and sportsmanship.

The complete team ratings released by FIDE place FIDE (2496), USA (2406), Kazakhstan (2381), Azerbaijan (2366), Spain (2339), and Peru (2207) in Pool A, while China (2473), Georgia (2430), Ukraine (2399), France (2353), Uzbekistan (2336), and India (2334) have been placed in Pool B.