Monaco GP Round 2: Humpy shares the point with Paehtz

by Shahid Ahmed - 20/02/2025

GM Koneru Humpy drew with GM Elisabeth Paehtz (GER) in Round 2 of FIDE Monaco GP 2025. GM Aleksandra Goryachkina was pressing against GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI). However, she alleviated the pressure and the game ended in a draw. The Women's World Championship Challenger, GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN) missed a winning opportunity against IM Batkhuyag Munguntuul (MGL). GM Harika Dronavalli made a one-move blunder against IM Sarasadat Khademalsharieh (ESP). The game was otherwise heading towards a draw. GM Kateryna Lagno was held to a draw by IM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ). Round 3 starts today from 3 p.m. local time, 7:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

Harika blunders against Sara

Koneru Humpy drew with Elisabeth Paehtz | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga

Humpy - Paehtz: 0.5-0.5

GM Koneru Humpy (2523) has 3.5-1.5 score in Classical rated games against GM Elisabeth Paehtz (GER, 2427). The Germany no.1 won their last battle in Monaco back in 2019. However, this time it ended in a draw.

GM Aleksandra Goryachkina loosened her grip and the game ended in a draw against GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI) | Photo: FIDE/Niki Riga

GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN) missed a winning chance against IM Batkhuyag Munguntuul (MGL) | Photo: FIDE/Niki Riga

Sara - Harika: 1-0

GM Harika Dronavalli (2489) had never lost a Classical rated game against IM Sarasadat Khademalsharieh (ESP, 2458). The score was 3-2 in favor of Harika. That changed yesterday when Harika had a momentary blind spot which caused her to make a one-move blunder.

Position after 38.Rd2

Even 38...Rxa7 39.Bxa7 Nxa7 leads to a draw as White doesn't have enough material to play for a win. Unfortunately for Harika, she blundered 39...Nxe5?? 40.Rd8+! and it's over as the pawn promotion is inevitable after the trade of rooks.

GM Harika Dronavalli suffered a tough loss against IM Sarasadat Khademalsharieh (ESP) | Photo: FIDE/Niki Riga

GM Kateryna Lagno - IM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: FIDE/Niki Riga

Replay live stream

Replay Round 2 live commentary by GM Alojzije Jankovic (CRO) and IM Almira Skripchenko (FRA) | Video: FIDE

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.

Schedule

Round 1 starts on 18th February 2025 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.

Replay Round 2 games

Round 2 results

Bo.	No.	FED	Rtg		White	Result		Black	FED	Rtg	No.
1	10	FID	2546	GM	Aleksandra Goryachkina	½ - ½	GM	Alexandra Kosteniuk	SUI	2484	6
2	7	CHN	2561	GM	Zhongyi Tan	½ - ½	IM	Batkhuyag Munguntuul	MGL	2331	5
3	8	IND	2523	GM	Humpy Koneru	½ - ½	GM	Elisabeth Paehtz	GER	2427	4
4	9	ESP	2458	IM	Sarasadat Khademalsharieh	1 - 0	GM	Harika Dronavalli	IND	2489	3
5	1	FID	2515	GM	Kateryna Lagno	½ - ½	IM	Bibisara Assaubayeva	KAZ	2492	2

Details

Standings after Round 2

Rk.	SNo		Name	FED	Rtg	Pts.	TB1	TB2	TB3	TB4	K	rtg+/-
1	5	IM	Batkhuyag Munguntuul	MGL	2331	1,5	1	1,00	1	0	10	9,9
2	8	GM	Humpy Koneru	IND	2523	1,5	1	0,50	1	0	10	3,2
	9	IM	Sarasadat Khademalsharieh	ESP	2458	1,5	1	0,50	1	0	10	5,9
4	1	GM	Kateryna Lagno	FID	2515	1,5	0	1,00	1	0	10	5,1
5	2	IM	Bibisara Assaubayeva	KAZ	2492	1	1	1,50	0	0	10	-0,2
6	4	GM	Elisabeth Paehtz	GER	2427	1	1	1,25	0	0	10	3,1
	7	GM	Zhongyi Tan	CHN	2561	1	1	1,25	0	0	10	-4,7
8	6	GM	Alexandra Kosteniuk	SUI	2484	0,5	2	0,25	0	0	10	-6,1
9	10	GM	Aleksandra Goryachkina	FID	2546	0,5	1	0,25	0	0	10	-6,3
10	3	GM	Harika Dronavalli	IND	2489	0	1	0,00	0	0	10	-9,9

Details

Round 3 pairings

Bo.	No.	FED	Rtg		White	Result		Black	FED	Rtg	No.
1	2	KAZ	2492	IM	Bibisara Assaubayeva		GM	Aleksandra Goryachkina	FID	2546	10
2	3	IND	2489	GM	Harika Dronavalli		GM	Kateryna Lagno	FID	2515	1
3	4	GER	2427	GM	Elisabeth Paehtz		IM	Sarasadat Khademalsharieh	ESP	2458	9
4	5	MGL	2331	IM	Batkhuyag Munguntuul		GM	Humpy Koneru	IND	2523	8
5	6	SUI	2484	GM	Alexandra Kosteniuk		GM	Zhongyi Tan	CHN	2561	7