Three-Way Tie Sets Up an Exciting Final Round at FIDE WGP Monaco
The FIDE Women’s Grand Prix in Monaco is heading for a thrilling finish! Round 8 of FIDE WGP was action-packed, with four out of five games ending decisively. Goryachkina, Tan, Munguntuul, and Harika all secured victories, making the final round even more exciting. Now, three players are tied at the top, promising an intense battle for the title.
A Special Birthday Moment
Off the board, there was a heartwarming moment as Bibisara Assaubayeva celebrated her 21st birthday. She received chocolates and flowers from the organizers before her game, adding a festive touch to the competition.
Notable Guests
The tournament welcomed special guests, including Virginie Cotta, General Secretary of Société des Bains de Mer, who made the ceremonial first move. Also present was the Berezovsky chess family—mother Svetlana and daughter Fiorina—who represented Monaco at the FIDE Olympiad last year.
Players Feeling the Pressure
As the tournament nears its conclusion, fatigue is becoming a factor. Some players are conserving energy, while others are fighting hard for every point. The competition remains fierce, and the chess quality remains high.
Round 8 of FIDE WGP Results:
- Aleksandra Goryachkina 1-0 Sarasadat Khademalsharieh
- Kateryna Lagno ½-½ Humpy Koneru
- Bibisara Assaubayeva 0-1 Zhongyi Tan
- Harika Dronavalli 1-0 Alexandra Kosteniuk
- Elisabeth Paehtz 0-1 Batkhuyag Munguntuul
Key Game Highlights
Goryachkina vs. Khademalsharieh
Fatigue affected Khademalsharieh, leading to her third consecutive loss. Goryachkina played a strategic game, capitalizing on small weaknesses. She built up her position methodically and forced her opponent into a completely lost position, winning in 50 moves. This victory puts her among the tournament leaders.
Lagno vs. Koneru
After a grueling six-hour match in the previous round, Lagno took a cautious approach, settling for a quick draw to maintain her position at the top.
Assaubayeva vs. Tan Zhongyi
Tan showed no mercy despite Assaubayeva’s birthday celebrations. White made several questionable decisions, allowing Tan to dominate. A tactical mistake sealed Assaubayeva’s fate, and Tan secured a crucial victory.
Dronavalli vs. Kosteniuk
Dronavalli bounced back from a rough start and secured her first win in the tournament.
Kosteniuk faced an important decision here. A retreat with 25…Bb6 was the safer choice, but she opted for the more natural 25…e5, which, while seemingly strengthening the bishop, but slightly exposed her king exposed. The situation worsened for Black after the pseudo-active 26…f5, opening position even more.
The game featured sharp play, with a spectacular exchange sacrifice (30.Rxd4!) that dismantled Black’s defenses.
A well-deserved victory for Harika!
Paehtz vs. Munguntuul
This was the most exciting game of the round! Paehtz had an early advantage, but a miscalculation allowed Munguntuul to strike back with a bold exchange sacrifice.
White missed a key defensive move (33.Rg1), leading to a decisive loss.
With this victory, Munguntuul joined the tournament leaders in a dramatic twist.
Standings After Round 8 of FIDE WGP
| Rank | Player | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kateryna Lagno | 5 |
| 2 | Batkhuyag Munguntuul | 5 |
| 3 | Aleksandra Goryachkina | 5 |
| 4 | Humpy Koneru | 4.5 |
| 5 | Tan Zhongyi | 4.5 |
| 6 | Alexandra Kosteniuk | 3.5 |
| 7 | Harika Dronavalli | 3.5 |
| 8 | Bibisara Assaubayeva | 3 |
| 9 | Sarasadat Khademalsharieh | 3 |
| 10 | Elisabeth Paehtz | 3 |
Final Round Pairings (Round 9):
- Munguntuul vs. Goryachkina
- Kosteniuk vs. Paehtz
- Tan vs. Dronavalli
- Koneru vs. Assaubayeva
- Khademalsharieh vs. Lagno
The final round of the 2024/25 Women’s Grand Prix series takes place on Thursday, February 27th, at 15:00 CET in Monte-Carlo, Monaco.
Where to Watch?
Follow the action live on the official website: womengrandprix.fide.com or tune in on YouTube with expert commentary from GM Alojzije Jankovic & IM Almira Skripchenko.
Don’t miss this epic conclusion! Who will emerge as the champion? Stay tuned for the final round of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix in Monaco!
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
Photos: Niki Riga / FIDE_chess
