Bhubaneswar : Indian chess International Master Divya Deshmukh delivered a commanding performance to defeat Grandmaster Harika Dronavalli 2-0 in the rapid tiebreaks of the quarterfinals at the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Cup. The match, held in Batumi, Georgia, was an all-Indian affair and saw both classical games end in draws, shifting the contest to the rapid tiebreaks on Monday.
Divya, 19, showcased mature and fearless chess, decisively outplaying Harika in both tiebreak games. Her victory was marked by clear calculation and confidence under pressure, a significant step in her career. After sealing her place in the semifinals, Divya was visibly emotional, taking a moment to process the achievement before preparing for her next match.
With this win, Divya sets up a semifinal clash against China’s Grandmaster Tan Zhongyi, a former world champion. The victory also ensures that two Indian women, Divya and Grandmaster Koneru Humpy, will compete in the last four of the tournament, highlighting India’s rising strength in international women’s chess.
Divya’s journey to the semifinals included impressive wins throughout the tournament, including an upset over higher-rated opponents. The FIDE Women’s World Cup serves as a qualifier for the Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026, with the top three finishers advancing to that prestigious event.
Both classical quarterfinal games between Divya and Harika were drawn.
Divya won the first and second rapid tiebreak games to claim the match 2-0.
Divya will face Tan Zhongyi of China in the semifinals.
Her win means India now has two representatives in the semifinals, alongside Koneru Humpy.
This result reflects the ongoing surge of Indian talent in the international women’s chess circuit.
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