In a historic moment for Indian chess, two of the nation’s finest women grandmasters — Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh — are set to face off in the final of the FIDE Women’s World Cup, making it an all-India summit clash.
India’s Koneru Humpy has stormed into the final of the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 after a dramatic victory over China’s Lei Tingjie in the semifinal tiebreaks, held in Batumi, Georgia on Thursday.
A Tiebreak Thriller
The semifinal tiebreaks began cautiously, with Humpy and Tingjie drawing both their 10+10 rapid games. However, the intensity spiked during the 5+3 rapid segment, where Tingjie struck first with a win as White.
With her back against the wall, Humpy bounced back brilliantly in the second game, forcing a level scoreline and setting the stage for an electrifying 3+2 blitz showdown.
Blitz Brilliance
In the first blitz game, Humpy capitalized on a crucial mistake by Tingjie in the 44th move, going a queen up and converting it into a confident win. In the second blitz game, she showcased nerves of steel and held her ground to seal the match and her spot in the final.
A Shot at History
This win guarantees India its first-ever FIDE Women’s World Cup title, regardless of who wins the final. It also secures Koneru Humpy a spot in the Women’s Candidates Tournament, scheduled for early 2026.
The World Cup final will happen on July 26 and 27, with the tiebreaks scheduled for July 28, if needed.
