In a stunning turn of events at the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 in Batumi, Georgia, India is guaranteed to have its first-ever champion, as two of its brightest stars, Humpy Koneru and Divya Deshmukh, have advanced to the final. The final will begin on July 26. This historic moment for Indian chess was sealed after Koneru's nail-biting victory over China's Lei Tingjie in the semi-final tiebreakers.
The semi-final clash between Humpy Koneru and Lei Tingjie was a tense affair, with both players demonstrating remarkable resilience and strategic depth. The initial game saw Humpy, playing with white, open with 1.d4, met by Lei's Slav Defence. Despite Humpy applying sustained pressure, Lei defended tenaciously, leading to a draw. The game seemed destined for a draw for a long stretch, but not before a final twist where Humpy missed a golden opportunity to win. The first game eventually ended in a draw.
The tension mounted as the players headed into tiebreakers. Humpy ultimately outmaneuvered Lei, securing her place in the final.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh had already secured her place in the final by defeating former Women's World Champion, Tan Zhongyi of China. Deshmukh's victory was particularly impressive as she secured not only a spot in the World Cup final but also a coveted place in the 2026 FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament. Furthermore, she also earned her first Grandmaster (GM) norm. Deshmukh is only the fourth Indian woman to achieve this feat, joining Koneru Humpy, Harika Dronavalli and R. Vaishali.
Deshmukh's path to the final was marked by tactical brilliance and composure. In her match against Tan Zhongyi, Deshmukh played the Alapin Sicilian Defence, navigating a complex game that ebbed and flowed. Despite acknowledging she could have played better, Deshmukh's resilience and precision in the 101-move battle proved decisive.
The upcoming final between Humpy Koneru and Divya Deshmukh is more than just a contest for the World Cup title. It symbolizes India's growing dominance in women's chess and the rise of a new generation of talent. At least one Indian will now feature in the next Women's Candidates Tournament, as three qualification spots are up for grabs from this event. Deshmukh's inspiring journey to the final, marked by fearless and attacking chess, signals the arrival of a new star in the women's circuit.
The FIDE Women's World Cup 2025, held in Batumi, Georgia, features 107 participants competing for a prize fund of 691,000 euros. The winner will take home $50,000 along with one of three coveted spots in the Candidates Tournament.
