The top three all gained rating points, as did three other players in the top ten. The most remarkable of these being Anna Zatonskih who has gained 38 rating points, that is up from 2499 (which was her previous career best) to 2537.

Hou Yifan is the only other player above 2500 to have her career highest rating at the present time.

Two other players have managed to obtain a 2500+ rating, Elina Danielian and Marie Sebag, both of whom have been there before.

Of the remaining players in the top 25, only one gained rating points.

One name missing from the top 25 is Pia Cramling, whose indifferent form continues. The new entrant is 22-year-old Valentina Gunina from Russia who has her highest ever rating.

Finally, there are still the same number of women rated 2400 or more, 68, as on the previous list. However ten years ago there were only 39. Some people like to interpret this increase as 'Elo-rating inflation'. I personally am not convinced and believe instead that the over-riding reason is a general improvement in playing strength.

A good source of further information is the International Chess Federation site FIDE