The Women’s Chess World Cup 2025 final in Batumi, Georgia, was destined to be an epic battle between two Indian superstars: the veteran Grandmaster Koneru Humpy, world No. 6, and the rising star, 19-year-old International Master Divya Deshmukh. This final turned into a true chess drama, with missed chances, and even after two days, there’s still no winner.
Game 1: Divya Deshmukh Strikes First, But Humpy Escapes
With all eyes on the classical opener of the Women’s Chess World Cup 2025, Divya came out strong, playing the Queen’s Gambit and pushing Humpy into a tricky position right from the start. Fans went wild as she sacrificed a piece early, trying to force a win. There was a moment on move 14 where Divya Deshmukh had a shot for a near-instant victory, but she missed the best continuation.
Humpy, showing why she’s been at the top for years, kept her calm under heavy fire. Even after losing her rook in the endgame, she managed to keep giving checks to Divya’s king, forcing a draw with perpetual checks on move 41.
Game 2: Cautious Play By Humpy
While Game 1 was all fire, Game 2 of the Women’s Chess World Cup 2025 was pure chess. Koneru Humpy, now playing with White, chose a solid English opening, her classic style. But Divya, who had clearly calmed her nerves from the day before, met every move with perfect elegance.
The game soon settled into a tense endgame. Humpy, as always, tried to squeeze every ounce of advantage with her bishops but found Divya’s defensive knight placements impossible to crack. Humpy even sacrificed a pawn to stir up trouble, but Divya covered her weaknesses, and in the end, it was again perpetual checks and an agreed draw after 34 moves.
Tension Peaks As Tiebreak Awaits!
The score now stands at 1-1 after two heart-pounding draws. That means there’s only one way to settle it: the tiebreak! This chess decider will feature rapid and possibly blitz games, all played under fierce time pressure, where speed matters as much as calculation.
First, two rapid games at 15 minutes per player, with a 10-second increment per move. If it remains tied, two more games at 10 minutes + 10 seconds. Still even? Blitz games at 5 minutes + 3 seconds await. And if neither player yields? It’s down to “Armageddon” (three minutes + two seconds, winner-takes-all!).
Chess fans are split right down the middle. And the world will be watching as India’s best duel for the crown.
What’s Next In The Women’s Chess World Cup 2025?
The Women’s Chess World Cup 2025 will officially crown a new champion in Batumi after the tiebreak on 28 July 2025. Both Humpy and Divya have already won fans around the globe, showing that Indian women’s chess is a true powerhouse. The winner will carve their name in history, and maybe inspire the next generation to take up the game.
Stay tuned for a high-speed, high-stakes finish. Whatever happens, this final is already one for the chess history books.
Also Read: Who Is Divya Deshmukh? The Indian Teenage Chess Prodigy
