Sports News : The FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 has reached a thrilling stage as all four Indian contenders — Divya Deshmukh, R. Vaishali, Koneru Humpy, and Harika Dronavalli — are now heading into tiebreakers in their respective pre-quarterfinal matches.
Indian Army Responds Swiftly to Assist Amarnath Yatris Stranded Due to Landslide and Heavy Rains
Young Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh had a remarkable start to her Round 3 clash against China’s second-seeded Zhu Jiner, winning the first classical game on Wednesday with white pieces. She needed just a draw in the second game to secure a quarterfinal spot. However, Zhu made a strong comeback on Thursday, defeating Divya with black pieces. The match featured a Scotch opening, but Divya’s position deteriorated in the middle game, making recovery impossible in the endgame.
In a parallel match, R. Vaishali held her ground against Kazakhstan’s Meruert Kamalidenova. After two drawn classical games — the second of which she played with black pieces — Vaishali will now face the tiebreaks as well.
Veterans Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli also couldn’t seal victories in regulation play. Humpy faced Switzerland’s Alexandra Kosteniuk, and Harika took on Russia’s Kateryna Lagno. Both matches ended in draws, pushing these encounters to the rapid tiebreak rounds.
Meanwhile, three Chinese players — Lei Tingjie, Song Yuxin, and Tan Zhongyi — have already advanced to the quarterfinals. Lei drew against Uzbekistan’s Umida Omonova, Song Yuxin held Georgia’s Lela Javakhishvili to a draw, and Tan Zhongyi defeated Ukraine’s Yuliya Osmak and then drew the second game to win the match.
The biggest upset of the day came from Georgia’s Nana Dzagnidze, who knocked out former Women’s World Champion Mariya Muzychuk of Ukraine in a sensational victory.
It is important to note that only the top three finishers in this prestigious tournament will qualify for the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026, to be held in the first half of the year. With so much at stake, the upcoming tiebreak rounds are expected to be intense and decisive.
All four Indian players will return to the boards today, with their tiebreak matches scheduled to begin at 4:35 PM IST. Fans and chess enthusiasts across the nation will be hoping for a strong performance that propels the Indian contingent into the quarterfinals.
