Four decisive results in round eight had a significant impact on the fight for the title at the Women's Grand Prix in Monaco. Kateryna Lagno, who entered the round as sole leader, signed a 21-move draw with Humpy Koneru, allowing two players to catch up with her after securing crucial victories on Wednesday. Batkhuyag Munguntuul and Aleksandra Goryachkina are now tied for first place with Lagno after defeating Elisabeth Paehtz and Sara Khadem, respectively.
Tan Zhongyi also scored a full point in the penultimate round, keeping her chances of winning the title alive after beating Bibisara Assaubayeva with the black pieces. Tan is now tied for fourth place with Humpy, just half a point behind the co-leaders.
The other winner of the day was Harika Dronavalli, who executed a well-timed exchange sacrifice to defeat Alexandra Kosteniuk.
In what was her third win of the event - following a first-round loss against Lagno - Goryachkina outplayed Khadem positionally in a Ruy Lopez. Already enjoying a clear middlegame advantage, Goryachkina found a precise combination to open lines on the kingside.
39.Nf5+ Bxf5 (39...gxf5 40.Qxh5 is also winning for White) 40.exf5 Nf4 41.Qf3 Nxd3 42.Qxd3 Qd7 43.Rc6 Reb8 44.fxg6 fxg6 45.Bb2, with the dark-squared bishop emerging as a strong attacking piece.
The breaking f2-f4 followed two moves later. Goryachkina efficiently converted her advantage into a 50-move win.
In the final round, co-leaders Munguntuul and Goryachkina will face each other, while Lagno will play black against Khadem. Both Humpy and Tan will have the white pieces against Assaubayeva and Harika, respectively.
Aleksandra Goryachkina v. Sara Khadem | Photo: Niki Riga
Batkhuyag Munguntuul, the lowest-rated player in the field, is now sharing the lead with two of the strongest women players in the world | Photo: Niki Riga
Harika Dronavalli | Photo: Niki Riga
