Koneru Humpy Creates History at FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025
Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy has become the first Indian woman to reach the semifinals of the FIDE Women’s World Cup, following a strategic draw against China’s IM Yuxin Song in the second quarterfinal game. Having won the first game, the draw was enough to secure her place in the top four.
India’s Best Performance in Women’s World Cup
This historic feat marks the best-ever performance by an Indian woman in the tournament. Humpy now awaits a challenging semifinal against GM Tingjie Lei, who knocked out Georgia’s Nana Dzagnidze.
Divya and Harika in Tiebreak Showdown
Meanwhile, IM Divya Deshmukh and GM Harika Dronavalli drew both their classical games and will head into rapid and blitz tiebreaks to determine who joins Humpy in the semifinals. The match is expected to be a high-intensity clash between two of India’s finest young talents.
Vaishali Bows Out
GM R Vaishali concluded her impressive run after drawing with GM Zhongyi Tan, who had secured a win in the first game. Despite her exit, Vaishali’s campaign displayed tactical depth and promising form for future events.
Semifinals Line-Up So Far
- Koneru Humpy (India) vs Tingjie Lei (China)
- Winner of Divya vs Harika will fill the remaining spot
Path to the Candidates Tournament
The top three finishers of the FIDE Women’s World Cup will qualify for the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament, making every game from hereon critical in shaping the next challenger for the Women’s World Chess Championship.
India’s Rising Chess Legacy
With three Indian women in the final stages of a global FIDE tournament, this year’s World Cup stands as a milestone for Indian chess. The progress of players like Humpy, Harika, and Divya highlights the country’s stronghold on the international stage.
Stay updated with chess and competitive news at gpsc-ojas.com/news/.
