Humpy and Harika set to battle at FIDE Monaco GP

by Shahid Ahmed - 18/02/2025

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.

Participants of FIDE Monaco GP 2025 | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

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

Details

The highest rated player of the event is the current Women's World Championship Challenger - GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN) | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

The second-highest rated player of the tournament and winner of the previous leg in Shymkent, Kazakhstan - GM Aleksandra Goryachkina | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

World no.6 and India no.1 among women - GM Koneru Humpy | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

World no.16 and India no.3 woman - GM Harika Dronavalli | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

Tournament Director - Jean-Michel Rapaire | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

Saxophonist Maria Zvereva performed a musical piece | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

Group photo of players, organizers and officials | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

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.

IM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) is at the top of the standings with 182.5 points | Source: Official site

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