Welcome back, chess fans! The tension is electric as we head into the decisive tiebreaks of the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 - and all eyes are on the blockbuster all-Indian clash: Koneru Humpy vs Divya Deshmukh.
After two classical draws where neither player blinked, it’s now do-or-die. With shorter time controls and sky-high stakes, this is the arena where nerves are tested and legends are made.
Can Humpy’s icy composure handle the heat, or will Divya’s bold instincts rewrite the script?
Get ready for fireworks - the battle resumes now. ♟🔥
🛡️ Petrov’s Defense: Classical, But Never Boring!
Both players lean into the classics and Humpy boldly enters the Petrov, a defense known for its symmetry and deceptive calm. Often underrated, the Petrov is a minefield of deep ideas and razor-sharp psychology.
Divya calmly castles kingside, securing her monarch and signaling she’s ready for the middlegame battles ahead.
Humpy develops her knight toward the center, honing in on Divya’s isolated pawn.
Both players have raced into this position with confidence and precision, blitzing through theory like it’s second nature. No hesitation - just sharp, prepared chess from two players who came to fight.
We’ve reached a position where Divya holds an isolated pawn. It’s a double-edged feature - a potential launchpad for middlegame activity and piece play, but a target that could become a liability in the endgame once the board empties. The clock is ticking on how well she can leverage it.
In a bold strategic decision, Humpy gives up her bishop pair, a long-term asset - in favor of immediate piece activity and coordination.
Divya advances her central pawn with intent, aiming to trade it off and ease the pressure of its isolation.
Humpy activates her rook at a critical moment, bringing fresh energy to the position. It's a timely reinforcement, just as the tension starts to rise - classic precision under pressure.
Divya makes an inaccurate move, and suddenly a tactical window opens. Humpy has a chance to win a clean pawn - a potential turning point. Will she seize the initiative, or let the moment pass?
Humpy chooses to hang on to her extra pawn, but the method isn't ideal. Her grip tightens, yet the position slips - the eval bar swings back to level. A small inaccuracy, and Divya is right back in the game!
Divya pulls back her knight with purpose, zeroing in on Humpy’s central pawn. It’s a quiet move with clear intent - apply pressure and work toward reclaiming material equality.
With an extra pawn in hand, Humpy naturally steers away from repeating moves. She’s not here to settle - she wants to press her advantage and keep the tension alive.
Feeling the time crunch, Humpy slips with an imprecise move. It’s all Divya needs - a golden opportunity to claw her way back and level the position!
Under serious time pressure, Divya keeps her cool and uncorks the best move on the board - a clutch response that drags her right back into the fight. Nerves of steel in a critical moment!
A Golden chance slips away! Divya overlooks a key opportunity to win a pawn and seize the initiative. It was a critical moment, and with one accurate move, the balance could’ve tipped in her favor.
Humpy has skillfully constructed a rock-solid fortress with no cracks to exploit. Despite holding the queen, Divya finds herself with no clear targets - Black's position is airtight, and every door is locked.
With neither side able to create threats or find weaknesses to exploit, the position has settled into complete balance. Barring a blunder, a peaceful draw now seems all but inevitable.
Divya vs Humpy – 81 Moves, No Surrender! What. A. Game.
In a marathon 81-move epic, Divya Deshmukh and GM Koneru Humpy dug deep into their arsenal in the first tiebreaker of the FIDE Women’s World Cup Final in Batumi.
The clock ticked, the tension mounted, and the crowd held its breath - but neither warrior blinked. The result? A gripping draw that felt like anything but. Divya, the fearless young IM, came out swinging with White in a sharp Petrov's Defense. Humpy, the seasoned grandmaster, matched her move for move in a game full of nuance, grit, and relentless precision.
Momentum swung wildly - both had their chances, both made inaccuracies under crushing time pressure, but neither cracked.
Now, it all comes down to the next game. Will Divya break through and write history, or will Humpy’s experience prevail in the clutch?
One thing’s for sure: The title hangs by a thread.
Join us for the live action of Game 2, with expert live commentary breaking down every twist, tactic, and turning point!