Koneru Humpy moves closer to FIDE Women’s World Cup semi-finals as Harika plays out draw vs Divya

Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy and top seed from China, Lei Tingjie, were the only two to take a lead after the first Classical round of the quarter-finals in the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 in Batumi, Georgia, on Saturday. Meanwhile, the all-India battle between Divya Deshmukh and Harika Dronavalli ended in a draw, while R Vaishali was held by China’s World No. 8 Tan Zhongyi.

Divya Deshmukh entered the match against Harika after causing one of the biggest upsets in the tournament as the Indian International Master defeated the second seed from China, Zhu Jiner, in the tiebreaks.

Divya Deshmukh plays out thrilling draw vs Harika

However, the 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh could not capitalise on the momentum and White pieces against Harika, settling for a draw after 31 moves in a Ruy Lopez Opening game where the 34-year-old Harika opted for the Morphy Defense.

More from Chess

“I didn’t want to let Divya get something from the opening. I just tried to go with the flow. Of course, I prepared, but nothing came forward,” Harika said after the draw.

Divya and Co on a roll: How Indians have taken FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 by storm

Both players will be back for the second Classical game on Sunday, followed by tiebreaks, if required.

The Vaishali vs Zhongyi was the longest match in the quarter-finals on Saturday and lasted for 72 moves as both players decided to settle for a draw. Zhongyi will have the White pieces advantage on Sunday.

Humpy beats Yuxin Song

Humpy had little trouble beating 19-year-old IM Yuxin Song of China as she took a 1-0 lead in the quarter-finals after a 53-move English Opening game. The world No.5 from India will play with Black pieces in the second Classical game on Sunday.

Lei Tingjie outplayed Georgia’s Nana Dzagnidze in 40 moves using the English Opening to join Humpy at the top of the standings.

The top three players at the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 will get a direct entry into the FIDE Women's Candidates.