GM Kateryna Lagno Withdraws from 2025 FIDE Women’s Grand Prix India Due to Beauty Prize Controversy

GM Kateryna Lagno has made headlines by withdrawing from the 2025 FIDE Women’s Grand Prix India in Pune, India, citing personal reasons. However, the real story behind her decision has come to light in an open letter addressed to FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich.

In the letter, published on Facebook by her friend IM Lilit Mkrtchian, Lagno expressed her shock and disappointment at not winning the prize for the most beautiful game in the 2025 FIDE Women’s Grand Prix Monaco. She accused the voting jury of discriminating against her because of her Russian nationality.

Lagno specifically called out two of the jury members, GM Zurab Azmaiparashvili and WGM Dana Reizniece-Ozola, for their decision. She described her game against GM Elisabeth Paehtz as one of the best of her career and believed it deserved the beauty prize.

However, the committee awarded the prize to a game between GM Alexandra Kosteniuk and GM Tan Zhongyi, which ended with a spectacular queen sacrifice for an underpromotion to a knight. The prize also included a Cartier luxury watch, adding fuel to the controversy.

In response, Paehtz, who lost to Lagno, expressed amusement at the situation but also pointed out that the watch was bought by the event’s official sponsor, who is Russian. She suggested that the decision was based on ignorance rather than politics.

GM Alexandra Kosteniuk, whose game received the beauty prize, expressed sadness at the situation and stated that she would have voted for Lagno’s game. She emphasized the subjective nature of such awards and hoped for more recognition for Lagno’s brilliant games in the future.

The public dispute over a beauty prize in chess is rare, with the most notable precedent being in Linares 2003 when GM Garry Kasparov protested a similar award. Chess.com has reached out to the involved parties for comment, and this story is developing.

Despite the controversy, Lagno’s withdrawal from the tournament may have little impact on her future prospects in the women’s world championship cycle. The FIDE Women’s Grand Prix standings show that she may not have qualified for the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates through the series anyway.

As more perspectives and responses come to light, the chess community eagerly awaits the resolution of this unexpected turn of events in the world of women’s chess.