The FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 has reached a thrilling crescendo as the first games of the semifinals unfolded at Batumi, Georgia. In the high-stakes showdown Indian contingent showcased exceptional skill and resilience against their Chinese counterparts, in their games which also were a spectacle of Asian dominance on the world stage. With USD 691,250 prize fund and three coveted spots in the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament at stake, the four players have given it all in the first games of the penultimate stage.
The first games of the semifinals on July 22 ended in draws, Indian chess stars GM Koneru Humpy and IM Divya Deshmukh made a solid start in the semifinals, holding their Chinese opponents to draws in the first games on Tuesday, July 22. Koneru Humpy, playing with the black pieces, faced off against China’s GM Lei Tingjie, the world number-two in live ratings. Their game involving constant attacking and reactionary counterattacking came to a draw after 53 moves. In the second semifinal, Divya Deshmukh also with black pieces contested against former Women’s World Champion GM Tan Zhongyi. Their match, game saw both players exchanging pieces methodically, resulting in a balanced rook-and-minor-piece endgame that concluded in a draw after 31 moves.
Koneru Humpy was seen meditating before her match with Lei Tingje
Divya, while describing the result as “okay,” emphasized her focus on the upcoming game with white, where she aims to press for a win. While Humpy expressed cautious optimism about her chances in the second game with white. She was also seen meditating before the semifinal clash, as Lei approached the board she hesitated and quietly went about her routine because Humpy sat with her eyes closed, completely immersed in her thoughts.
Both the Indian players will face their counterparts again in the second games of the semifinals on Wednesday, July 23. A win for any player will secure their place in the final and a guaranteed Candidates spot, while draws will lead to tiebreaks on July 24, featuring rapid and, if necessary, blitz games. Humpy and Divya, both wielding the white pieces, are poised to leverage their opening preparation to push for decisive results.
