Monaco GP: Tan and Goryachkina grab full points

by Carlos Alberto Colodro
2/25/2025 – Round six of the Monaco Women's Grand Prix saw two decisive games, as Aleksandra Goryachkina and Tan Zhongyi (pictured) claimed victories to shake up the standings. Sole leader Kateryna Lagno held a quick draw to maintain her lead, while Humpy Koneru and Sara Khadem suffered defeats. Goryachkina's endgame technique allowed her to overcome Humpy, while Khadem faltered in a difficult defensive position against Tan. With three rounds remaining, Goryachkina and Batkhuyag Munguntuul now trail Lagno by just half a point. | Photo: FIDE / Niki Riga
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Goryachkina now a half point behind Lagno

Following the rest day, two out of five games ended decisively in round six of the Women's Grand Prix stage in Monaco. Kateryna Lagno, the sole leader, secured a 28-move draw with Alexandra Kosteniuk to maintain her position at the top of the standings. Meanwhile, two of the players who had been trailing Lagno by half a point suffered defeats: Humpy Koneru lost to Aleksandra Goryachkina, while Sara Khadem was defeated by Tan Zhongyi.

These results allowed Goryachkina to move into shared second place alongside Batkhuyag Munguntuul, with both players just half a point behind Lagno. Tan, on the other hand, now sits in a four-player group with an even score, a further half point back.

Both decisive games of the day were decided in the technical phase. Goryachkina outplayed Humpy in a double-rook endgame (full game analysis below), while Khadem was unable to hold what was theoretically an equal position with a queen and a minor piece per side. From a practical standpoint, however, the position was extremely difficult to defend. Now representing Spain, Khadem erred with 42.Qb2, whereas 42.Nd2 would have been the most accurate defensive resource.

There followed 42...Qe4+ 43.Kd2 Qg2+ 44.Kc3 Qf3+ 45.Kd2 Be4, and Black's bishop had infiltrated decisively.

Khadem continued to resist until move 60 before conceding defeat.

Sara Khadem

Sara Khadem | Photo: Niki Riga

Goryachkina 1 - 0 Humpy

Aleksandra Goryachkina

Aleksandra Goryachkina | Photo: Niki Riga

Kateryna Lagno

Kateryna Lagno, who won the 2022/23 Women's Grand Prix remains in the lead in Monaco | Photo: Niki Riga

Round 6 results

Standings

All games

Links

Carlos Colodro is a Hispanic Philologist from Bolivia. He works as a freelance translator and writer since 2012. A lot of his work is done in chess-related texts, as the game is one of his biggest interests, along with literature and music.