Batumi, Georgia – History has been made at the FIDE Women’s World Cup in Batumi, Georgia, as Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh both triumphed in their respective semifinals on Thursday, July 24, 2025. This sets up a momentous all-Indian final, guaranteeing that the 2025 Women’s World Cup champion will hail from India.
Deshmukh’s Decisive Victory
Earlier in the week, 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh had already secured her spot in the final with a commanding 1.5-0.5 victory over China’s Tan Zhongyi. After drawing the first classical game on Tuesday, Deshmukh delivered a decisive win in Game 2 on Wednesday, showcasing her prowess with the white pieces. This groundbreaking performance also secured her a place in the 2026 Candidates Tournament and earned her first Grandmaster norm.
Humpy Dominates Tie-Breaks to Join Deshmukh
Veteran Grandmaster Koneru Humpy joined her compatriot in the final after a hard-fought battle against China’s Lei Tingjie. Their semifinal match went down to the wire, with both classical games ending in draws. Humpy, however, showcased her vast experience and composure in the tie-breaks on Thursday, outplaying Lei Tingjie to secure her progression to the final.
This upcoming final marks an unprecedented moment in Indian chess, guaranteeing the nation its first-ever Women’s World Cup champion. The highly anticipated match between the experienced Humpy and the rising star Deshmukh is set to capture the attention of chess enthusiasts worldwide.
When will the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 final happen?
The Women’s World Cup 2025 final will begin on Saturday.
- Game 1 – July 26 (Saturday)
- Game 2 – July 27 (Sunday)
- Tiebreak – July 28 (Monday)
What will be the format for the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 final?
The time control for Game 1 and 2 shall be: 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 30 minutes for the rest of the game with an increment of 30 seconds per move starting from move 1.
Tiebreak format:
- Two-game match – 10 minutes for each player with a 10-second increment, starting from the first move.
- Two-game match – Five minutes for each player with a three-second increment, starting from the first move.
- Two-game match – Three minutes for each player with a two-second increment, starting from the first move.
- Players keep contesting 3+2 games until a decisive result determines the match winner
The winner of the final will receive $50,000, while the runner-up will be richer by $35,000.
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