Batumi (Georgia), The first game of the all-Indian final at the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 between veteran Grandmaster Koneru Humpy and teenage sensation Divya Deshmukh ended in a well-contested draw on Friday. Both players now head into the second game of the final with the score tied at 0.5-0.5.
Divya, who had the white pieces, chose an aggressive opening line in the Queen’s Gambit. By move 10, she launched an ambitious attack with Ba3, aiming to disrupt Humpy’s central development and keep the black king from castling. Her play in the early middle game was energetic and sharp, placing immediate pressure on Humpy’s setup.
Humpy, with decades of top-level experience, maintained composure despite the early pressure. She navigated the complexities with precise defensive moves and gradually neutralised Divya’s initiative. The balance remained razor-thin as both players exchanged pieces into an equal endgame.
After 41 moves, with no clear breakthrough for either side, the game was drawn by repetition. Both players left the board satisfied with the result, knowing the outcome leaves the championship wide open going into Game 2.
The final, held in Batumi, marks a historic moment for Indian chess, with two women from India competing in the summit clash of a global event. By reaching the final, both Humpy and Divya have already qualified for the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026, a step closer to the Women’s World Chess Championship title.
Divya Deshmukh, just 18, has impressed fans and experts with her fearless play throughout the tournament. Her performance against seasoned names like Harika Dronavalli in the semi-finals has earned her a reputation as India’s fastest-rising chess star.
Koneru Humpy, on the other hand, is a former world rapid champion and one of India’s most consistent performers on the international stage. Her calm under pressure and strategic maturity were on full display in the first game, which she played with the black pieces.
Game 2, where Humpy will get the white pieces, is scheduled for Sunday, July 27. If the classical portion ends in a 1-1 tie, the winner will be decided via rapid and blitz tie-breakers, as per FIDE regulations.
The final is being closely watched across India, with the chess community celebrating the emergence of a new generation and the continued strength of veterans. A decisive result in Game 2 could bring India its first Women’s World Cup title since the tournament’s inception.
Both players are expected to come prepared with deeper home preparation and psychological readiness for the high-stakes second round, which could determine the winner of one of the most prestigious titles in women’s chess.
