Kateryna Lagno Withdraws from Indian Leg of Women’s Grand Prix Over Beauty Prize Snub

In a dramatic turn of events, Grandmaster Kateryna Lagno has withdrawn from the Indian leg of the 2025 FIDE Women’s Grand Prix, scheduled to begin April 14 in Pune, following a controversial snub at the Monaco event. The Russian chess star, known for her tactical brilliance, cited “shock and disappointment” in the form of an open letter to FIDE President, Arkady Dvorkovich, through a friend’s Facebook handle, after her game against Elisabeth Paehtz in Monaco’s fourth round failed to win the beauty prize—a Cartier watch valued at over $3,700—despite her belief that it was “one of the best games of my career.”

“IM Sarasadat Khademalsharieh and GM Kateryna Lagno have withdrawn from the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix India due to personal reasons,” read FIDE’s press release on their official website.

However, Lagno’s withdrawal stems from her accusation of political bias in the jury’s decision to award the prize to Alexandra Kosteniuk’s game against Tan Zhongyi instead. In the open letter shared on March 26, Lagno called the verdict “insulting and humiliating,” pointing fingers at jury members GM Zurab Azmaiparashvili and WGM Dana Reizniece-Ozola for alleged discrimination tied to her Russian nationality. She declared her refusal to participate in the final Grand Prix stage in India as a protest.

The chess community has mixed reactions. Kosteniuk, who received the prize, expressed sadness over the fallout, noting she’d have voted for Lagno’s game herself, while Paehtz dismissed political motives, suggesting favoritism toward Kosteniuk’s Monaco ties. Lagno’s exit from the world championship cycle event leaves a void, spotlighting tensions beneath chess’s polished surface. Her fans lament the loss of a contender, but her stand underscores a fierce resolve to let principles, not just pawns, dictate her moves.