It’s happening, history is being made at the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 Finals, as for the very first time, the final isn’t just about chasing a trophy or a spot in the Candidates Tournament, it’s about India vs India. The chess world is prompted as two Indian chess talents, Divya Deshmukh and Koneru Humpy, face each other for the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 finals.
Divya Deshmukh’s Road to the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 Finals
Nineteen-year-old International Master Divya Deshmukh has been in the headlines all year. Starting as a bit of an underdog, Divya knocked out top names, and she only got better with every round. The semifinal against former world champion Tan Zhongyi from China was her biggest test yet, where she drew the first game with the black pieces, and then also won the second game with white, clinching the match 1.5-0.5.
Divya’s win wasn’t just another chess result. It made her the first Indian woman ever to reach the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 final and secured her qualification for the prestigious Candidates Tournament 2026. And if that wasn’t enough, she also bagged her first GM norm with this historic win.
How Humpy Secured Her Spot at the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 Finals
On the other side, Grandmaster Koneru Humpy, a legend in her own right, was tested by some of the world’s strongest players throughout the tournament. In the semifinal, she was up against Chinese star Lei Tingjie. The match was a nail-biter and went all the way through classical games to rapid, then blitz tiebreakers. But Humpy delivered crucial wins to clinch the game 5-3, resulting in an all-Indian final.
For Humpy, this is a milestone, a first-ever Women’s World Cup final spot in her already storied career.
Why This Final Matters
This isn’t just about a trophy. No matter who wins, India will finally have a Women’s World Cup champion. Both finalists have also booked their tickets to next year’s Candidates Tournament. This moment is just another showcase of the golden period in chess that India is experiencing. For fans back home and around the world, it’s proof that Indian stars are now at the center of women’s chess history.
FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 Finals: Match Details
Finalists: Koneru Humpy vs Divya Deshmukh
Date: Starts Saturday, July 26, 2025, 4:30p.m. IST
Format: Two classical games. If tied, rapid and blitz tiebreakers decide the winner.
Prize: Winner gets $50,000 (₹41.6 lakhs); runner-up receives $35,000 (₹29.1 lakhs).
Venue: Batumi, Georgia
The stage is set for an epic, all-Indian clash. Whoever wins, Indian chess has already scored its biggest victory yet.
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