Women's World Cup 2025 QF1: Humpy wins, Harika, Divya and Vaishali draw
GM Koneru Humpy defeated IM Yuxin Song (CHN) in the first game of the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 Quarterfinals. Humpy needs a draw in the second game to secure her place in the Semifinals. IM Divya Deshmukh drew against GM Harika Dronavalli. GM R Vaishali had a hard-fought draw against GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN). GM Tingjie Lei (CHN) defeated GM Nana Dzagnidze (GEO). She is also a draw away from advancing to the Semifinals. The top three finishers earn a place in the next FIDE Women's Candidates. So the stakes are very high. Round 5/Quarterfinal Game 2 starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 4:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman
Humpy is a draw away from securing her place in the Semifinals
It was evident from GM Koneru Humpy's play that she was well-prepared in the line she played in the English opening. She sacrificed a pawn to get the initiative and her opponent eventually did not respond correctly,
Humpy - Yuxin: 1-0
This was the first time GM Koneru Humpy (2536) faced IM Yuxin Song (CHN, 2410) in a Classical rated game. Humpy sacrificed a pawn early in the opening to gain initiative 11.d5 exd5 12.e4 d4 13.a4 b4 14.e5 Bb7 16.0-0 Be7 17.e6 fxe6 18.Rfe1
Black needed to play 18...Nf8 to defend the e6-pawn 18...0-0? 19.Rxe6+- Bf6 20.Rae1 Rac8 21.Bd6 Qa8 22.Bxf8 Nxf8 23.Rxf6 White returned the exchange gxf6 24.Qf5 Rc7 25.Qxf6 Rf7 26.Qg5+ Ng6?? 27.Nh4 and it's over for Black.
Divya - Harika: 0.5-0.5
IM Divya Deshmukh (2463) played five Classical rated games against GM Harika Dronavalli (2488). Divya lost two and the next three ended in draws. Divya had the white pieces in four of them. She got the white piecesfor the fifth time against Harika. The outcome was the same.
Vaishali - Zhongyi: 0.5-0.5
GM R Vaishali (2478) has played six Classical rated games against the 16th Women's World Chess Champion, GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN, 2527). Vaishali won one, lost three and the remaining two ended in draws. Vaishali made a nice exchange sacrifice after which draw became virtually guaranteed.
Dzagnidze - Tingjie
In a wild battle, accepting the sacrifice would have been the best continuation for White 25.hxg3 Rxg3+ 26.Kh1 instead White played 25.Kh1?? directly Be5-+ and Black went on to win the game.
Watch Round 5 Game 1 live stream
Prizes
The total prize fund is US$ 691250 which will be distributed among 107 players. The top three prizes are $50000, 35000 and 25000.
