The Chess Federation of Rostov in collaboration with FIDE and Global Chess is organising the first event for the Women's Grand Prix series 2011/2012. The tournament will be held in the Don-Plaza Hotel (Rostov-on-Don, Russia) beginning on the 1st of August 2011. 

The sponsor of the event is Rostov Chess Federation and Rostov Region Government.

The Rostov Chess Federation is one of the most active regional Federations and has already organised 64th Russian Championships - Higher League in 2011, Taganrog (near Rostov) and many other chess events.

The sponsor of the event is Rostov Chess Federation and Rostov Region Government.

The Rostov Chess Federation is one of the most active regional Federations and has already organised 64th Russian Championships - Higher League in 2011, Taganrog (near Rostov) and many other chess events.

The first tournament of FIDE Women's Grand Prix in Rostov will be one of the strongest women tournaments of all times. The participants of the event include current Women World Champion Hou Yifan, two former Women World champions: Alexandra Kosteniuk and Antoaneta Stefanova as well as challenger in the World Championship Match Humpy Koneru who are all among the highest ranked women players in the world.

  Another former Women World champion – Nona Gaprindashvili – is a technical adviser. Chinese Ruan Lufei is one of the “newcomers” in FIDE Grand Prix Series. Her appearance in World Chess scene was bright - she reached the final in the 2010 Women's World Championship, having won on tiebreaks in every round (eliminating previous champion Alexandra Kosteniuk in the process), and faced fellow Chinese Hou Yifan in the final. Certainly the participation of the local player and two-time Women Russian Champion Ekaterina Kovalevskaya will attract a lot of attention of the chess lovers and press.  

  The FIDE Women Grand Prix is a series of elite tournaments which will be organised by FIDE and Global Chess. There will be 6 stages over two years in various countries around the world with three tournaments every year.  

The winner of each tournament will win 6,500 euros out of a prize fund of 40,000 euros and the overall winner of the series will win a further 15,000 euros at the end of the series.

Opening ceremony will take place in Don-Plaza Hotel at 7 p.m. on 1st of August. 

Games start: rounds 1-10 at 3:00 PM local time and round 11 at 12 AM local time.

Rest days: August 6th (after round 4) and August 11th (after round 8).