Latest news with #FIDEWomen'sWorldCup2025
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
FIDE Women's World Cup 2025: Indians in action in semifinals; match-ups, colours, live streaming info
FIDE Women's World Cup 2025, Indians in action in semifinals: The third edition of the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 will feature two Indians, Koneru Humpy and Divya Divya taking on two Chinese opponents, Lei Tingjie and Tan Zhongyi respectively, for a place in the final. It also guarantees India at least one spot in next year's Candidates Tournament – that will decide the eventual challenger to women's world champion Ju Wenjun, who has held the title since 2018. The top three finishers from the ongoing tournament make it to the Candidates and even if both Humpy and Divya are defeated at the semifinal stage, they will face each other in a third-place playoff. Humpy handed tournament giant slayer China's Yuxin Song a straight 1.5-0.5 defeat in the Classical match to become the first ever Indian to reach World Cup semis, whereas Divya had taken her quarterfinal match against compatriot Harika Dronavalli into tiebreaks, where she beat Harika 2-0 to advance through. The FIDE Women's World Cup is the most crucial event in the World Championship cycle, offering three qualifying spots for Candidates. The Women's Grand Prix Series 2024-25 and the Grand Swiss provide two spots each, while the last is reserved for the highest-placed player in the 'FIDE Women's Events 2025-26' series. The winner of the Candidates will earn the right to challenge the reigning World Champion, in this case, China's Ju Wenjun. Both Humpy and Divya will play their first match with white pieces. The FIDE Women's World Cup will be streamed live on FIDE's YouTube channel.
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First Post
5 hours ago
- Sport
- First Post
'Beating Zhu Jiner gave me confidence': Divya Deshmukh reflects on historic Chess World Cup run, credits mother's support
Indian teenage chess star Divya Deshmukh added a new chapter to her rising reputation on Monday, becoming only the second Indian to reach the semi-finals of the FIDE Women's World Cup. She reflects on her mother's support and the key factors behind her memorable run. read more Divya Deshmukh is only the second Indian to reach the semi-finals of FIDE Women's World Cup. Images: FIDE Teenage sensation Divya Deshmukh doubled India's delight at the ongoing FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 by becoming the second Indian woman ever to qualify for the semi-finals. The 19-year-old International Master from Nagpur, Maharashtra, defeated compatriot Grandmaster Harika Dronavalli 2-0 in a thrilling rapid tiebreak in Batumi on Monday after their quarter-final match ended in a draw. Divya will join veteran Koneru Humpy in the semi-finals, making it the first time India will have two players in the last four stage of a FIDE Women's World Cup. Humpy will face top seed Lei Tingjie of China in her semi-final, while Divya will be up against Tan Zhongyi, also from China. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The top three players from the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 will be guaranteed a spot in the 2026 Candidates Tournament, which will be played to find the challenger for the World Chess Championship. With two semi-finalists, India are guaranteed at least one spot. Divya Deshmukh reaches World Cup final 4 The impact of the history-making feat was quite evident on Divya's face as she defeated Harika. The teenager took a while to compose herself and recollect her thoughts. In a candid chat with Woman International Master Charlize van Zyl, Divya shared that he was still shaking from the memorable win. 'Very shaky,' she told FIDE. 'I think I am happy with the way I played. I don't think the last game went well but, not really (worried)…My preparation had a lot of role in that game and I would like to thank my coach for that.' 🇮🇳 Divya Deshmukh is through to the semifinals of the 2025 FIDE Women's World Cup!#FIDEWorldCup @DivyaDeshmukh05 — International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) July 21, 2025 Divya has, of course, successfully crossed multiple odds to reach the semi-finals. Reflecting on her history-making journey, Divya said that the tiebreak win over second seed Zhiu Jiner of China in Round 4 of the tournament gave her the required confidence. 'Zhu Jiner was definitely my toughest opponent up to now and winning the tiebreak against her gave me confidence for this one. I didn't want to play tiebreaks but this is my fate, and for the moment it's going well' Divya added. In a separate social media post by FIDE, Divya spoke about her mother and how her support has helped her go this deep in the tournament. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD "She is the biggest support here. I don't think that I would have come this far without her. It's really nice to see somebody who's always cheering on you in your good times and bad times." - 🇮🇳 Divya Deshmukh on her mother 📷 Anna Shtourman/FIDE — International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) July 21, 2025 'She is the biggest support here. I don't think that I would have come this far without her. It's really nice to see somebody who's always cheering on you in your good times and bad times.'
NDTV
15 hours ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Divya Deshmukh Gets Emotional After Reaching Chess Women's World Cup Semifinals
Divya Deshmukh produced a remarkable performance to defeat GM Harika Dronavalli in the Quarterfinals of the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025, winning both the tie-break games to advance to the semifinals. With this victory, Divya has become only the second Indian woman after GM Koneru Humpy to reach the semifinals of the FIDE Women's World Cup tournament. The match was tightly contested in the classical segment, but Divya grabbed her opportunity in the first tie-break, when Harika made a crucial error in the endgame. In the second tie-break game, Harika had chances to bounce back, but she missed a couple of winning opportunities, and Divya made her pay for it. As a result, Harika's campaign came to an end, while Divya marched on with great composure and maturity. 🇮🇳 Divya Deshmukh is through to the semifinals of the 2025 FIDE Women's World Cup! #FIDEWorldCup @DivyaDeshmukh05 — International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) July 21, 2025 Divya will now face a tough opponent in the semifinals, the 16th Women's World Champion, GM Tan Zhongyi of China. The other semifinal will see India's top-ranked woman player, GM Koneru Humpy, take on China's Lei Tingjie, who had earlier defeated Nana Dzagnidze of Georgia. The final four is now confirmed, with two players from India and two from China remaining in the fray. Koneru Humpy got the better of China's Song Yuxin with a 1.5-0.5 score, while Tan Zhongyi knocked out Vaishali Rameshbabu with a score of 1.5-0.5. In the all-Indian Quarterfinal, Divya Deshmukh beat Harika Dronavalli 3-1, while Lei Tingjie dominated Nana Dzagnidze 2-0. As the tournament enters its business end, all eyes will be on the high-voltage India vs China clashes, with a place in the final at stake. The top three finishers of the tournament will earn a spot in the Candidates later this year. One thing is now confirmed, at least one Indian woman will be in the mix for a shot at the Candidates.
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First Post
20 hours ago
- Sport
- First Post
Divya Deshmukh storms into FIDE Women's World Cup semi-finals as India set new record in Batumi
Divya Deshmukh has defeated Harika Dronavalli in the tiebreaks to enter the semi-final of the FIDE Women's World Cup. With Humpy already in the semis, this is the first time two Indians have made to the last four of the tournament. read more The All-Indian quarterfinal affair between Divya Deshmukh and Harika Dronavalli went down to the wire to the tiebreaks where the former got the better of the latter and in turn advanced to the semi-final of the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025. Divya defeated Harika with both white and black pieces in the tie-breaker. With the victory, she has become the second Indian to qualify for the semis. The victory becomes even sweeter for her as she made it through to the semi-final in her first appearance at the event. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Koneru Humpy made history on Sunday by beating Yuxin Song and thereby securing her spot in the top four. This is the first time two Indians have made it to the semi-final of the FIDE Women's World Cup. 🇮🇳 Divya Deshmukh is through to the semifinals of the 2025 FIDE Women's World Cup!#FIDEWorldCup @DivyaDeshmukh05 — International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) July 21, 2025 It will be India v China in the two semi-finals. Koneru Humpy v Lei Tingjie and Divya Deshmukh v Tan Zhongyi. (More to follow…)
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First Post
2 days ago
- Sport
- First Post
Koneru Humpy moves closer to FIDE Women's World Cup semi-finals as Harika plays out draw vs Divya
Koneru Humpy was the only Indian to win the Round 1 of the FIDE Women's World Cup quarter-finals as Harika D played out a thrilling draw against Divya Deshmukh on Saturday. read more India's Koneru Humpy has 1-0 lead after Round 1 of the quarter-finals in FIDE Women's World Cup 2025. Image: FIDE Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy and top seed from China, Lei Tingjie, were the only two to take a lead after the first Classical round of the quarter-finals in the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 in Batumi, Georgia, on Saturday. Meanwhile, the all-India battle between Divya Deshmukh and Harika Dronavalli ended in a draw, while R Vaishali was held by China's World No. 8 Tan Zhongyi. Divya Deshmukh entered the match against Harika after causing one of the biggest upsets in the tournament as the Indian International Master defeated the second seed from China, Zhu Jiner, in the tiebreaks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Divya Deshmukh plays out thrilling draw vs Harika However, the 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh could not capitalise on the momentum and White pieces against Harika, settling for a draw after 31 moves in a Ruy Lopez Opening game where the 34-year-old Harika opted for the Morphy Defense. 'I didn't want to let Divya get something from the opening. I just tried to go with the flow. Of course, I prepared, but nothing came forward,' Harika said after the draw. Divya and Co on a roll: How Indians have taken FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 by storm Both players will be back for the second Classical game on Sunday, followed by tiebreaks, if required. Round 5, Game 1 — two draws, two wins, and tension rising. ♟️🔥 Every move is critical now, with just one step between players and the semifinals. 📷 Anna Shtourman/ FIDE #FIDEWorldCup — International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) July 19, 2025 The Vaishali vs Zhongyi was the longest match in the quarter-finals on Saturday and lasted for 72 moves as both players decided to settle for a draw. Zhongyi will have the White pieces advantage on Sunday. Humpy beats Yuxin Song Humpy had little trouble beating 19-year-old IM Yuxin Song of China as she took a 1-0 lead in the quarter-finals after a 53-move English Opening game. The world No.5 from India will play with Black pieces in the second Classical game on Sunday. Lei Tingjie outplayed Georgia's Nana Dzagnidze in 40 moves using the English Opening to join Humpy at the top of the standings. The top three players at the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 will get a direct entry into the FIDE Women's Candidates.
