Sara Khadem Resigns in Round 7 of 2025 Monaco FIDE Women’s Grand Prix

The 2025 Monaco FIDE Women’s Grand Prix has been filled with intense battles and surprising outcomes, but round seven provided one of the most dramatic moments yet. IM Sara Khadem faced every chess player’s worst nightmare when, after over five hours and 74 moves, she resigned in an equal position against GM Koneru Humpy.

Humpy’s bounce-back win against Khadem has propelled her into a tie for second place, just half a point behind the leader GM Kateryna Lagno. The standings after round seven show a tight race at the top, with Goryachkina and Munguntuul also in contention.

The round also saw a lightning-fast draw between Paehtz and Goryachkina, with both players quickly settling for a repetition. Despite not applying pressure to the leader, Goryachkina remains in second place alongside Munguntuul, who has yet to suffer a defeat in the tournament.

The key game of the round was Tan vs. Lagno, where Tan had a chance to catch up to the leader with a win. However, after a marathon 107-move draw, Lagno managed to hold on and maintain her lead.

In the one decisive game of the round, Humpy’s win over Khadem was filled with twists and turns, culminating in a tragic end for Khadem. Despite putting up a great fight, Khadem resigned prematurely, handing Humpy the victory.

As round eight approaches, the competition heats up with Khadem facing a tough match against Goryachkina, while Humpy and Munguntuul look to make their mark on the leaderboard.

The Monaco FIDE Women’s Grand Prix continues to showcase the fierce competition and strategic battles that define the world of chess. With two rounds to go, the race for the top spot is still wide open, promising more excitement and surprises in the days to come.