The FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 semi-finals will be the most exciting chapter yet in the tournament. It sets up a classic rivalry, China vs India on both boards, two powerhouse nations in the world of chess. Held in Batumi, Georgia, this year’s tournament has been nothing but a series of strong performances by both nations, with two players each making it to the final four.
For Indian chess fans, it’s a special moment as it’s the first time two Indian women have reached the semifinals of this prestigious event, while all eyes will be on the two Chinese players to maintain their dominance.
Who Reached FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 Semi-Finals
Divya Deshmukh (India) was the first to grab the headlines after a tense all-Indian quarterfinal against Grandmaster Harika Dronavalli. The two classical games ended in draws, but in the rapid tiebreaks, Divya played with confidence and clarity, winning both games with 2-0 and securing her place in the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 Semi-Finals. At just 19, Divya has already built a reputation for knocking out big names, including second seed Zhu Jiner earlier in the event.
Koneru Humpy (India), the country’s highest-rated woman player, booked her spot in the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 Semi-Finals with a solid victory against China’s Song Yuxin. The match was decided in the two classical games, where Humpy took one win and drew the other, moving through without the need for tiebreaks.
On the Chinese side, Lei Tingjie dominated her quarterfinal against Georgia’s Nana Dzagnidze, winning both games for a clear 2-0 result. Meanwhile, Tan Zhongyi, a former Women’s World Champion, won against India’s Vaishali Rameshbabu. Their first game was drawn, but Tan clinched victory in the second to move smoothly into the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 Semi-Finals.
The FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 Semi-Finals Pairings
The stage is now set for two heavyweight clashes between India and China:
- Lei Tingjie (China) vs Koneru Humpy (India)
- Tan Zhongyi (China) vs Divya Deshmukh (India)
Both FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 Semi-Finals are expected to be closely contested. Lei Tingjie is the tournament’s top seed and comes in with strong momentum, but Humpy’s consistency and experience will make this a real test. On the other board, Tan Zhongyi is known for her fighting spirit, but she faces Divya, whose run as the underdog has captured worldwide attention.
Notably, the top three finishers in this tournament will secure a place in the next Women’s Candidates Tournament, the final step before a shot at the Women’s World Chess Championship.
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