Women's World Cup 2025 R4 TB: Humpy, Harika, Vaishali and Divya qualify to the QF, create history
For the first time in a FIDE Women's World Cup, four Indian women are in the Quarterfinal stage. It means 50% of the players remaining in the tournament are Indians. Both GM Koneru Humpy and IM Divya Deshmukh needed two tie-break games to eliminate GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI) and GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) respectively. Divya scored a huge win against Jiner and Humpy remained undefeated in her match. GM Harika Dronavalli knocked out GM Kateryna Lagno by 2.5-3.5. GM R Vaishali had to battle the longest. She eliminated the giant-killer of the tournament by 4.5-3.5 after a grueling tie-breaks. Round 5/Quarterfinal Game 1 starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 4:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman
One Indian is guaranteed to be in the Semifinals
In the second edition in 2023, GM Harika Dronavalli was the sole Indian in the Quarterfinals. Nearly two years later, now there are four Indians in the Quarterfinals. It is similar to what happened in FIDE World Cup 2023 when D Gukesh, Vidit Gujrathi, Arjun Erigaisi and R Praggnanandhaa were in the Quarterfinals. Harika facing IM Divya Deshmukh guarantees one Indian to reach the Semifinals which has never happened before. GM Koneru Humpy eliminating GM Alexandra Kosteniuk means, there will be a completely new champion to be crowned as she was the winner of the inaugural edition back in 2021. The Quarterfinals have - four Indians, three Chinese and one Georgian player.
Divya - Jiner: 2.5-1.5
IM Divya Deshmukh (2395) started the day with a win over GM Jiner Zhu (CHN, 2441).
Divya was winning the second game too against Jiner. However, she drew her game as it was enough for her to win the match and advance to the Quarterfinals.
Kosteniuk - Humpy: 1.5-2.5
After two draws in the Classical games, GM Koneru Humpy (2446) struck first in the 15'+10" Rapid tie-break game.
Humpy - Kosteniuk, Tie-break 1
Kosteniuk returned the piece which Humpy traded for three pawns 36...Rbd8? 37.Rxb7 Rd1+ 38.Rxd1 Rxd1+ 39.Kg2 and White went on to win the game.
Humpy drew the second game even though she was winning the majority of the double rook endgame, as it was enough for her to win the match and secure her place in the Quarterfinals.
Kateryna - Harika: 2.5-3.5
GM Kateryna Lagno (2465) won the first 15'+10" Rapid tie-break game against GM Harika Dronavalli (2433).
Harika won the must-win second 15'+10" tie-break to stay in the match. Kateryna blundered in the major piece endgame after she initially overlooked her opponent's mistake.
The first 10'+10" Rapid tie-break game ended in a draw.
Harika - Kateryna, Tie-break 4
35...Qh1 is what Black needed to play to capitalize on her advantage. Instead, she blundered 35...Qc3?? 36.Qxc3 dxc3 37.Ke3 Harika went on to win the game and match.
Vaishali - Kamalidenova: 4.5-3.5
IM Meruert Kamalidenova (KAZ, 2387) won the first 15'+10" Rapid tie-break game after GM R Vaishali (2326) misplayed in a complex position.
Vaishali won the must-win second tie-break game to stay in the match.
Vaishali scored a victory in the first 10'+10" Rapid tie-break game.
This time, Meruert delivered the equalizer to stay in the match.
The first 5'+3" Blitz tie-break game ended in a well contested draw.
Vaishali won a back and forth second Blitz tie-break game to win the match and secure her place in the Quarterfinals.
Results
GM Koneru Humpy - GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI): 2.5-1.5
GM Jiner Zhu (CHN) - IM Divya Deshmukh: 1.5-2.5
GM Kateryna Lagno - GM Harika Dronavalli: 2.5-3.5
IM Meruert Kamalidenova (KAZ) - GM R Vaishali: 0.5-0.5
Quarterfinal pairings
GM Tingjie Lei (CHN) - GM Nana Dzagnidze (GEO)
GM Koneru Humpy - IM Yuxin Song (CHN)
IM Divya Deshmukh - GM Harika Dronavalli
GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN) - GM R Vaishali
Watch Round 4 Game 2 and Tie-break live stream
Replay all Round 4.2 and Tie-break games
Prizes
The total prize fund is US$ 691250 which will be distributed among 107 players. The top three prizes are $50000, 35000 and 25000.
