Batumi, Georgia– Divya Deshmukh and Koneru Humpy have advanced to the pre-quarterfinals of the FIDE Women’s World Cup. Here’s a summary of their progress and what to expect next for them and other Indian players:
Divya Deshmukh’s Strong Performance
Young Indian talent Divya Deshmukh secured her spot in the pre-quarterfinals by holding Croatian Teodora Injac to a draw on Sunday. This came after Divya had already won the first game against Injac while playing with the black pieces, giving her a decisive edge in the two-game classical format.
Her next challenge in the pre-quarterfinals will be against Chinese Grandmaster Jiner Zhu.
Koneru Humpy Joins Her in the Next Round
Veteran Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy, a senior figure in Indian chess, also made her way to the pre-quarterfinals. Humpy played out a draw in her first game against Poland’s Klaudia Kulon, but then showcased her experience by winning the second game while playing with the black pieces to secure her progression.
Tie-Breakers for Other Indians
The fate of three other prominent Indian players – Vantika Agrawal, R. Vaishali, and Harika Dronavalli – now hangs on tie-breakers scheduled for Monday. All three shared points with their respective opponents over the two classical games in the third round, necessitating a quicker format to decide who advances.
- Vantika Agrawal will be looking to bounce back after losing her game against Kateryna Lagno on Sunday.
- Harika Dronavalli played out a draw against Stavroula Tsolakidou.
- R. Vaishali also drew her game against Carissa Yip.6
The tie-breakers often involve rapid and blitz games, adding another layer of excitement and pressure to the tournament. The Indian contingent will be hoping to see more players join Divya and Humpy in the later stages of the prestigious FIDE Women’s World Cup.
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