The final, scheduled to begin Saturday after a day’s rest, also marks a major milestone as both Humpy and Divya have now officially qualified for the 2025 Women’s Candidates Tournament, which is also a gateway to the world championship crown
Koneru Humpy, Divya Deshmukh (Pic: AFP/ChessBaseIndia)
Grandmaster Koneru Humpy on Thursday produced a comeback for the ages, defeating China’s Lei Tingjie in a tense tiebreaker to secure her place in the final of the ongoing FIDE Women’s World Cup. With this win, Humpy sets up an all-Indian summit clash against rising star Divya Deshmukh, ensuring a historic moment for Indian chess.
The final, scheduled to begin Saturday after a day’s rest, also marks a major milestone as both Humpy and Divya have now officially qualified for the 2025 Women’s Candidates Tournament, which is also a gateway to the world championship crown.
Humpy’s semifinal clash with Lei Tingjie was not an usual game of chess. After the classical games ended in a pair of draws, the match moved to rapid tiebreakers with 15-minute games. There too, neither player managed to break the deadlock, resulting in another 1–1 split.
🇮🇳 Humpy Koneru will face 🇮🇳 Divya Deshmukh in the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 Final! 🔥#FIDEWorldCup pic.twitter.com/OG0P54Q2og
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) July 24, 2025
The pressure mounted in the second set of tiebreak games, played with 10 minutes on the clock plus increment. Lei struck first, capitalising on an uncharacteristic error by Humpy in the middlegame to win a pawn and seize control of the endgame. Though the presence of opposite-coloured bishops offered Humpy drawing chances, Lei’s active play on both flanks proved too much to contain. The Chinese Grandmaster converted her advantage smoothly, leaving Humpy with no room for error.
But the Indian veteran bounced back in stunning fashion. With elimination staring her in the face, Humpy responded with a 'win-on-demand' performance, seizing the initiative early with a Queen’s Pawn opening and dominating from the outset. Her clinical play and technical superiority secured a victory to level the scores again and force a decisive third tiebreak set.
With momentum on her side, Humpy drew white in the next rapid game and played a near-flawless match. Her control over the board was absolute, as she outmaneuvered Lei in all departments, winning with precision and style. The win meant she only needed a draw in the return leg to advance, but Humpy did more than just hold ground.
Facing Lei’s Italian Opening, the seasoned Indian Grandmaster showcased her endgame mastery once again, eventually forcing a second consecutive win to book her place in the final.
(With PTI inputs)
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