The FIDE Women’s Grand Prix in Monaco heads into the final round with three players tied for the lead, setting up a decisive finish.
Monaco Life attended the eighth round of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix at the Novotel Monaco on the 26th of February, where four of the five games ended with a decisive result. The standings are now tied at the top, with Kateryna Lagno, Batkhuyag Munguntuul, and Aleksandra Goryachkina all sharing the lead going into the final round.
The Monaco tournament, part of the 2024/25 Women’s Grand Prix series, is taking place from the 17th to 28th February, with the last round taking place on the 27th February. The series is held across several countries, with Monaco being one of the host locations.
The Women’s Grand Prix consists of six tournaments, featuring a total of 20 players. Each player competes in three out of the six events, and their best results contribute to their final standing in the overall series.
In the Monaco leg, 10 players from different countries are competing in a round-robin format, meaning each player faces every other participant once. The event brings together a mix of experienced Grandmasters and rising stars, representing nations such as Russia, China, India, Germany, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan. The Grand Prix serves as a key qualifier for the Women’s Candidates Tournament, which determines the challenger for the Women’s World Chess Championship.
Key results from round eight
Goryachkina defeated Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, capitalising on her opponent’s mistakes in a positional game. Khademalsharieh, who has now lost three games in a row, struggled to create counterplay. Goryachkina gradually improved her position and took control after her opponent lost a pawn without compensation. The game ended in resignation on move 50.
Lagno, who was leading by half a point, opted for a quick draw against Humpy Koneru after a long game the previous day. This pragmatic decision allowed her to maintain her position at the top.
Tan Zhongyi, who played against Bibisara Assaubayeva, did not allow any surprises. In their game, Tan took control after White made a series of inaccurate moves. A missed defensive resource on move 38 allowed Tan to secure a winning position, leaving Assaubayeva no way back.
Harika Dronavalli recorded her first victory of the tournament against Alexandra Kosteniuk in a tactical battle. Playing a King’s Indian Attack, Dronavalli gradually built up pressure before breaking through with an exchange sacrifice that exposed her opponent’s weakened king.
Munguntuul’s victory over Elisabeth Paehtz was one of the more dramatic games of the day. Playing with Black, Munguntuul made a practical piece sacrifice that disrupted her opponent’s coordination. Paehtz had a chance to hold but miscalculated, allowing Munguntuul to take full control and convert her two-pawn advantage into a win.
With three players now tied at the top, the ninth and final round on 27th February will determine the winner. Goryachkina and Munguntuul face each other in a crucial match, while Lagno plays against Khademalsharieh.
Live coverage available on here.
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Photo credit: Niki Riga