The FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025, currently taking place in Batumi, Georgia, has reached its thrilling semifinal stage. This year’s tournament has seen record-breaking performances, rising stars, and intense clashes, culminating in a classic India vs China face-off in both semifinal matchups.
With Game 1 of the semifinals ending in draws, the upcoming matches on July 23 will determine who advances to the final and secures a spot in the prestigious 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament.
Current Semifinal Matchups and Results
Koneru Humpy (India) vs Lei Tingjie (China)
- Game 1: Draw (½–½)
- Match Summary: Humpy surprised with an early Berlin Defense while playing Black. She offered a bold pawn sacrifice, but Lei declined, steering the game into a balanced endgame.
- Game 2: Humpy will play White and will look to capitalize on any advantage.
Divya Deshmukh (India) vs Tan Zhongyi (China)
- Game 1: Draw (½–½)
- Match Summary: Divya opted for a solid approach in her first-ever World Cup semifinal, maintaining a stable position against the experienced Tan Zhongyi.
- Game 2: Divya will play with White.
If Game 2 of either matchup ends in a draw, the players will proceed to rapid and blitz tiebreaks scheduled for July 24.
Tournament Highlights So Far
The 2025 edition of the FIDE Women’s World Cup has been filled with high drama and standout performances:
- Koneru Humpy became the first Indian woman to reach the semifinal stage of the Women’s World Cup, defeating former Candidates finalist Aleksandra Goryachkina in a thrilling quarterfinal.
- Divya Deshmukh, the 19-year-old prodigy from India, stunned the chess world by defeating GM Harika Dronavalli in the quarterfinal tiebreaks after two classical draws. Her rapid victory was both clinical and fearless.
- Several top seeds, including Kateryna Lagno and Mariya Muzychuk, were knocked out earlier than expected, showcasing the unpredictable nature of the knockout format.
- The tournament also highlighted the depth of talent in women’s chess, with players from emerging nations putting up strong performances in the earlier rounds.
Meet the Semifinalists
Koneru Humpy (India)
- Title: Grandmaster
- Age: 37
- Achievements: 2019 Women’s World Rapid Champion, multiple Olympiad medals, and former world no. 2.
- Style: Known for her deep positional play, strong endgame skills, and calm under pressure.
- Road to Semis: Defeated Goryachkina in quarterfinals with remarkable precision.
Lei Tingjie (China)
- Title: Grandmaster
- Age: 27
- Achievements: 2022 Women’s Candidates finalist, former Chinese Women’s Champion.
- Style: Aggressive and tactically sharp with a rich opening repertoire.
- Road to Semis: Consistent performance, eliminating top-rated opponents with ease.
Divya Deshmukh (India)
- Title: International Master
- Age: 19
- Achievements: 2023 World Junior Champion, National Women’s Champion.
- Style: Ambitious, resourceful, and composed under pressure.
- Road to Semis: Beat Harika Dronavalli 2–0 in rapid tiebreaks.
Tan Zhongyi (China)
- Title: Grandmaster
- Age: 33
- Achievements: 2017 Women’s World Chess Champion, 2023 Candidates finalist.
- Style: Positional strength with strong classical foundations.
- Road to Semis: Progressed steadily with solid wins throughout the tournament.
What Happens Next?
- July 23: Game 2 of the semifinals. Humpy and Divya will both play White.
- July 24: If needed, tiebreaks (rapid and blitz) will be played.
- July 25: Rest day.
- July 26: Final and 3rd place match begin.
- Qualification: The top 3 players (the two finalists and 3rd place winner) will qualify for the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament — the pathway to the Women’s World Chess Championship.
India’s Historic Run
India’s presence in both semifinals marks a historic milestone in women’s chess. Koneru Humpy, with her vast experience, and Divya Deshmukh, a fearless next-gen star, are showing the strength of India’s chess ecosystem. This also reflects the growing interest, investment, and grassroots development in Indian chess.
Conclusion
The FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 has become a global showcase of talent, resilience, and strategy. As India and China battle for supremacy in the semifinals, fans around the world are witnessing one of the most competitive editions in recent memory. Whether you’re a seasoned chess fan or a newcomer, this is a tournament worth following to the very end.
