Exciting Start to 2025 Monaco FIDE Women’s Grand Prix: Humpy, Lagno, and Munguntuul Secure Wins in Round One

In a thrilling start to the 2025 Monaco FIDE Women’s Grand Prix, GM Koneru Humpy emerged victorious against fellow Indian GM Harika Dronavalli, while GM Kateryna Lagno defeated GM Aleksandra Goryachkina in round one. The day’s other winner was IM Batkhuyag Munguntuul, who took down former Women’s World Champion GM Alexandra Kosteniuk in a wild game.

The Monaco leg of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix is the third of six events scheduled for 2024 and 2025. Each player competes in three legs, battling for a maximum of 130 points and a prize of €18,000 ($18,900). The top two players at the end of the series will qualify for the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament to select the next world championship challenger.

The action-packed round one saw three decisive results, setting the players apart in the standings. Lagno’s victory over Goryachkina was a highlight, with a rare Center Game opening leading to a remarkable game. Humpy continued her winning streak, while Munguntuul surprised Kosteniuk with a fiery start.

The remaining games ended in draws, with Tan Zhongyi opting for a draw against Elisabeth Paehtz in a position where she could have pushed for a win. The tournament promises more exciting matchups in round two, including Goryachkina vs. Kosteniuk and Lagno vs. Assaubayeva.

With eight rounds to go, the competition in Monaco is heating up. Fans can catch all the action of the 2025 Monaco FIDE Women’s Grand Prix, with players competing in a round-robin format with 90 minutes on the clock and a 30-second increment per move. The top prize is €18,000 (~$20,000), with players also earning Grand Prix points for their performances. Stay tuned for more updates on this thrilling tournament!