Exciting Results from Round 2 of the 2025 Monaco FIDE Women’s Grand Prix

IM Sara Khadem made a stunning move in round two of the 2025 Monaco FIDE Women’s Grand Prix, capitalizing on a time-trouble blunder by GM Harika Dronavalli to secure the only win of the round. This victory propelled Khadem to join GM Kateryna Lagno, GM Koneru Humpy, and IM Batkhuyag Munguntuul in the lead with 1.5/2. The biggest miss of the day came when GM Tan Zhongyi allowed Munguntuul to escape, shaking up the standings.

With round three set to begin on Thursday, February 20, the competition is heating up as players vie for the top spot. The round two results saw four draws, with each game showcasing intense moments where one player had a significant advantage at some point. Former Women’s World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk, at 40 years old, demonstrated her versatility by playing the French Defense against GM Aleksandra Goryachkina, showcasing that there are always new strategies to explore in chess.

Despite the intense battles on the board, the closest we came to a win in the drawn games was in Tan’s match against Munguntuul, where Tan missed a crucial opportunity to secure victory. The only decisive game of the round saw Harika dominating most of the clash but ultimately falling into a trap set by Khadem, leading to a sudden victory for the latter.

As the competition progresses, all eyes are on the players as they strategize and battle it out for the top positions. With round three pairings promising exciting matchups, fans can catch all the action on FIDE’s YouTube channel or the dedicated event page. The 2025 Monaco FIDE Women’s Grand Prix is part of the larger FIDE Women’s Grand Prix series, with players competing for a chance to qualify for the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament.

Stay tuned for more updates and coverage of the 2025 Monaco FIDE Women’s Grand Prix as the competition unfolds.