Koneru Humpy strikes nearer to FIDE Ladies’s World Cup semi-finals as Harika performs out draw vs Divya

Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy and prime seed from China, Lei Tingjie, have been the one two to take a lead after the primary Classical spherical of the quarter-finals within the FIDE Ladies’s World Cup 2025 in Batumi, Georgia, on Saturday. In the meantime, the all-India battle between Divya Deshmukh and Harika Dronavalli led to a draw, whereas R Vaishali was held by China’s World No. 8 Tan Zhongyi.

Divya Deshmukh entered the match towards Harika after inflicting one of many largest upsets within the match because the Indian Worldwide Grasp
defeated the second seed from China, Zhu Jiner, within the tiebreaks.

Divya Deshmukh performs out thrilling draw vs Harika

Nonetheless, the 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh couldn’t capitalise on the momentum and White items towards Harika, settling for a draw after 31 strikes in a Ruy Lopez Opening sport the place the 34-year-old Harika opted for the Morphy Protection.

“I didn’t wish to let Divya get one thing from the opening. I simply tried to waft. After all, I ready, however nothing got here ahead,” Harika stated after the draw.

Divya and Co on a roll:
How Indians have taken FIDE Ladies’s World Cup 2025 by storm

Each gamers might be again for the second Classical sport on Sunday, adopted by tiebreaks, if required.

Spherical 5, Sport 1 — two attracts, two wins, and pressure rising. ♟️🔥
Each transfer is vital now, with only one step between gamers and the semifinals.

📷 Anna Shtourman/ FIDE #FIDEWorldCup pic.twitter.com/0gUR5Ltbd0

— Worldwide Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) July 19, 2025

The Vaishali vs Zhongyi was the longest match within the quarter-finals on Saturday and lasted for 72 strikes as each gamers determined to accept a draw. Zhongyi could have the White items benefit on Sunday.

Humpy beats Yuxin Track

Humpy had little hassle beating 19-year-old IM Yuxin Track of China as she took a 1-0 lead within the quarter-finals after a 53-move English Opening sport. The world No.5 from India will play with Black items within the second Classical sport on Sunday.

Lei Tingjie outplayed Georgia’s Nana Dzagnidze in 40 strikes utilizing the English Opening to hitch Humpy on the prime of the standings.

The highest three gamers on the FIDE Ladies’s World Cup 2025 will get a direct entry into the FIDE Ladies’s Candidates.