Humpy and Harika set to battle at FIDE Monaco GP
The third leg of the FIDE Women's Grand Prix 2024-25 will start today in Monte Carlo, Monaco. GM Harika Dronavalli will play her first GP event of the season. She will clash with the reigning World Rapid Women's Champion - GM Koneru Humpy in the very first round. The ten-player round-robin tournament will also feature GM Zhongyi Tan (CHM), GM Aleksandra Goryachkina, GM Kateryna Lagno, IM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ), GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI), IM Sarasadat Khademalsharieh (ESP), GM Elisabeth Paehtz (GER) and IM Batkhuyag Munguntuul (MGL). The current Women's World Championship Challenger, Zhongyi is the highest rated player of the event. Round 1 starts today from 3 p.m. local time, 7:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga
Humpy and Harika will face each other in Round 1
The third leg of the FIDE Women's Grand Prix 2024-25 series starts today in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Ten top women of the world will fight for the first prize €18000 and valuable GP points which adds up to the direct qualification to FIDE Women's Candidates 2026. The total prize fund of the tournament is €80000. IM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) and IM Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE) are the only two players who have played two GP events of the season. Each GP participant can play three out of the six legs. So, this will be Bibisara's last GP event of the year. The winner of the previous GP held in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, GM Aleksandra Goryachkina will play her second consecutive GP of the cycle.
Players list
| No. | Name | FideID | FED | Rtg | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | GM | Zhongyi Tan | 8603642 | CHN | 2561 | |
| 10 | GM | Aleksandra Goryachkina | 4147103 | FID | 2546 | |
| 8 | GM | Humpy Koneru | 5008123 | IND | 2523 | |
| 1 | GM | Kateryna Lagno | 14109336 | FID | 2515 | |
| 2 | IM | Bibisara Assaubayeva | 13708694 | KAZ | 2492 | |
| 3 | GM | Harika Dronavalli | 5015197 | IND | 2489 | |
| 6 | GM | Alexandra Kosteniuk | 4128125 | SUI | 2484 | |
| 9 | IM | Sarasadat Khademalsharieh | 12512214 | ESP | 2458 | |
| 4 | GM | Elisabeth Paehtz | 4641833 | GER | 2427 | |
| 5 | IM | Batkhuyag Munguntuul | 4900758 | MGL | 2331 |
GP Standings
IM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) is currently leading with 182.5 points, followed by IM Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE) 149.17. They have played both GP events held so far. GM Koneru Humpy has played one and GM Harika Dronavalli will play her first GP event of the season.
Prizes
Total prize fund is €80000. The top three prizes are €18000, €13000 and €10500 each. The top three GP points are - 130, 105 and 85. For more details, check out the regulations below.
Pairings
Round 1 starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 7:30 p.m. IST. The tournament will go on till 27th February 2025. Sole rest day is on Sunday 23rd February.
| Bo. | No. | FED | Rtg | White | Result | Black | FED | Rtg | No. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | FID | 2515 | GM | Kateryna Lagno | GM | Aleksandra Goryachkina | FID | 2546 | 10 | ||||
| 2 | 2 | KAZ | 2492 | IM | Bibisara Assaubayeva | IM | Sarasadat Khademalsharieh | ESP | 2458 | 9 | ||||
| 3 | 3 | IND | 2489 | GM | Harika Dronavalli | GM | Humpy Koneru | IND | 2523 | 8 | ||||
| 4 | 4 | GER | 2427 | GM | Elisabeth Paehtz | GM | Zhongyi Tan | CHN | 2561 | 7 | ||||
| 5 | 5 | MGL | 2331 | IM | Batkhuyag Munguntuul | GM | Alexandra Kosteniuk | SUI | 2484 | 6 |
