Heartbreak for Sara Khadem: Costly Resignation Shocks FIDE WGP
Round 7 of FIDE WGP
The seventh round of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix (WGP) brought surprises, missed opportunities, and heartbreak. While four games ended in draws, the biggest shock came from Sara Khadem’s match against Humpy Koneru. After five and a half hours of intense play, Khadem resigned in a drawn position—a costly mistake @ Round 7 of FIDE WGP.
Tournament Standings Shake Up
As the tournament nears its climax, competition is heating up. Kateryna Lagno has led for several rounds, but today’s results changed the standings. Humpy Koneru’s win pushed her to joint second place alongside Aleksandra Goryachkina and Batkhuyag Munguntuul, making the final rounds unpredictable.
Special Guests at the Event
The day started with a special visit from Monaco Basketball Association players, who made the ceremonial first move. They exchanged jerseys with a FIDE Women’s Commission-designed shirt, promoting women’s sports. Inna Bazhenova, founder of TAEX and a key sponsor, also attended.
Round 7 of FIDE WGP Results:
- Elisabeth Paehtz ½ – ½ Aleksandra Goryachkina
- Batkhuyag Munguntuul ½ – ½ Harika Dronavalli
- Alexandra Kosteniuk ½ – ½ Bibisara Assaubayeva
- Zhongyi Tan ½ – ½ Kateryna Lagno
- Humpy Koneru 1 – 0 Sarasadat Khademalsharieh
Round 7 of FIDE WGP Game Highlights:
Paehtz vs. Goryachkina
This game ended in just 30 minutes after a threefold repetition by move 13. Goryachkina’s decision to secure an early draw, despite trailing Lagno by half a point, left many puzzled.
Munguntuul vs. Dronavalli
Munguntuul has shown resilience throughout the event, while Dronavalli struggled. Both played cautiously, with White gaining a strong position but misplaying on the queenside. A series of trades led to an equal position and a draw.
Kosteniuk vs. Assaubayeva
Assaubayeva, leading the overall Grand Prix standings, has not been in top form.
In a King’s Indian Defense game, White gained an early advantage, but Kosteniuk missed key moves, allowing Black to hold the position and force a draw.
Tan vs. Lagno
Lagno, the tournament leader, faced a tough challenge against Tan.
In a King’s Indian Defense variation, Lagno made an inaccurate 35…Bd4 move, giving White a winning opportunity.
However, Tan failed to capitalize, and the game ended in an exciting six-hour battle with a stalemate finish.
Koneru vs. Khadem
Humpy Koneru came well-prepared with a Queen’s Gambit Declined sideline.
She outplayed Khadem in the opening and gained a strong attacking position.
However, a series of inaccuracies led to a drawn endgame.
In the final moments, with both players under extreme time pressure, Khadem made a heartbreaking mistake and resigned in a drawn position.
Standings after Round 7 of FIDE WGP:
| Rank | Player | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kateryna Lagno | 4.5 |
| 2 | Batkhuyag Munguntuul | 4 |
| 3 | Aleksandra Goryachkina | 4 |
| 4 | Humpy Koneru | 4 |
| 5 | Alexandra Kosteniuk | 3.5 |
| 6 | Tan Zhongyi | 3.5 |
| 7 | Sarasadat Khademalsharieh | 3 |
| 8 | Elisabeth Paehtz | 3 |
| 9 | Bibisara Assaubayeva | 3 |
| 10 | Harika Dronavalli | 2.5 |
Round 8 Details
The eighth round of the third leg in the 2024/25 Women’s Grand Prix series starts on Wednesday, February 26th at 15:00 CET local time in Monte-Carlo, Monaco.
Round 8 Pairings:
- Aleksandra Goryachkina – Sarasadat Khademalsharieh
- Kateryna Lagno – Humpy Koneru
- Bibisara Assaubayeva – Tan Zhongyi
- Harika Dronavalli – Alexandra Kosteniuk
- Elisabeth Paehtz – Batkhuyag Munguntuul
Looking Ahead
With only a few rounds remaining, the tournament remains wide open. Will Lagno maintain her lead, or will Koneru, Goryachkina, and Munguntuul rise to the challenge? Stay tuned for more action from the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix.
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
Photos: Niki Riga / FIDE_chess
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