The tension is mounting at the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Cup as India’s two brightest chess stars, IM Divya Deshmukh and GM Koneru Humpy, held strong in the first games of their semifinal clashes, keeping Indian hopes burning bright for a spot in the final.
Game one saw 19-year-old prodigy Divya Deshmukh confidently secure a quick draw with the Black pieces against the formidable GM Tan Zhongyi. Despite her opponent’s experience and aggressive style, Divya’s precise preparation and calm defense ensured that no real chances emerged, making it a strategic deadlock from the outset. The draw sets up an intense second game, where Divya will now hold the advantage of White pieces and potentially press for a win.
Meanwhile, GM Koneru Humpy, one of India’s most seasoned grandmasters, played a longer, more demanding game against GM Lei Tingjie. Though Lei held the edge in the middlegame, it was Humpy who demonstrated steely nerves and positional mastery to claw back and equalize. As the clock ticked down, Humpy’s resilient play flipped the narrative—she ended the game with the better half of a hard-fought draw.
With no decisive results in the first games, everything comes down to game two, scheduled for Wednesday, July 23, at 4:30 PM IST. A win would directly book a spot in the final, while another draw could push the matches into tiebreaks.
As India watches closely, both Divya and Humpy are proving why they are names to watch on the global stage. Whether it’s youthful brilliance or veteran grit, the fight for a place in chess history is well and truly on.