Youth vs Experience: India's Koneru Humpy & Divya Deshmukh to clash in FIDE Women's Chess World Cup 2025 final

Koneru Humpy to meet Divya Deshmukh in Women’s Chess World Cup 2025 final.

For the first time, India guaranteed a FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup champion, and the title will come down to an all-Indian final between Grandmasters Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh. The much-anticipated face-off will take place in Batumi, Georgia, from Saturday, July 26 to July 28.

Both the Indian chess players have had a brilliant journey in Georgia, creating history and breaking records along the way.

The 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh became the first Indian ever to reach the final of the Women’s Chess World Cup, defeating former World Champion Tan Zhongyi in the semi-final. The three-time Chess Olympiad gold medallist had crushed fellow Indian Grandmaster Harika Dronavalli 2-0 in the rapid tiebreaks in the quarterfinal.

Also Read: Full list of chess Grandmasters from India

On the other hand, India’s most experienced and respected female chess player, 38-year-old Koneru Humpy, also made records. She first defeated China’s Song Yuxin in the quarterfinals, then overcame the challenge of Lei Tingjie in the semifinals, becoming the first Indian woman to reach the semifinals before advancing to the final.

After losing the previous tie-break, it was a must-win blitz game for Humpy, who battled through eight intense games over three days to defeat the Chinese Grandmaster and book a meeting with her Indian compatriot.

“This is one of the happiest moments for Indian chess fans. This title is coming to India for sure. In the final, it will be a tough game. Divya has played tremendously well in the whole tournament,” Humpy told FIDE after her semifinal victory.

This final will be the first for both the players and also for Indian chess. No matter who wins, India will take home the Women’s Chess World Cup for the very first time.

What makes this even more exciting is the nature of the matchup. A battle of youth vs experience. Just 19 years old, Divya is half the age of Humpy, who is the reigning two-time Women’s World Rapid Chess Champion and the runner-up of the Women’s World Chess Championship.

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