Chess
Monaco Women’s Grand Prix: Humpy shares the lead, Harika ends losing streak
In Round 4, Humpy will face Alexandra Kosteniuk, while Harika will take on Bibisara. The winner will be decided on February 27.
Grandmaster Koneru Humpy shared the joint lead at the end of the third round of the Monaco Women's Grand Prix 2025 on Thursday. Humpy played out a draw with International Master Batkhuyag Munguntuul (MGL) in Round 3.
Playing with the black pieces, Humpy secured a draw against Batkhuyag, whom she had defeated at the previous Grand Prix in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, last year.
Humpy is now among the joint leaders in the Monaco Grand Prix, sharing the top spot with Sara Khadem, Batkhuyag, and Kateryna Lagno at the end of the third round.
In another positive outcome, Harika Dronavalli ended her losing streak by splitting the point with Grandmaster Kateryna Lagno. However, she continues to remain at the bottom of the standings, following her loss to Sara Khadem on Wednesday.
Khadem, on the other hand, settled for a draw with Elisabeth Paehtz. Bibisara Assaubayeva of Kazakhstan defeated Aleksandra Goryachkina to maintain her position above Harika.
Switzerland’s Alexandra Kosteniuk also emerged victorious, winning her match against Tan Zhongyi of China to hold on to the fifth spot.
In the fourth round of the competition, Humpy will face Alexandra Kosteniuk, while Harika will take on Bibisara.
The tournament winner will be decided on February 27, with the top three prizes being €18,000, €13,000, and €10,500, respectively. Alongside the prize money, players will also earn valuable Grand Prix points.
