International Master Divya Deshmukh delivered a stellar performance in the second game of the FIDE Women's World Cup final, forcing Grandmaster Koneru Humpy to a draw. Humpy, the higher-ranked player, was unable to gain any advantage.
FIDE Women's World Cup Final 2025: In the final match of the FIDE Women's World Chess Cup 2025, India's rising star Divya Deshmukh held the experienced Grandmaster Koneru Humpy to a draw in the second game, pushing the match to a tiebreaker. The title will now be decided by short time format matches on Monday.
19-year-old Divya from Nagpur, playing with the black pieces, presented a tough challenge to Humpy and forced the match to end in a draw after 34 moves. Previously, the first game on Saturday had also ended in a draw, but Divya admitted to some errors in that match.
Tiebreaker Format: How will the Winner be Decided?
Now that both classical games have ended in a draw, the match progresses to a tiebreaker, which will follow the following format:
- Two rapid games of 15 minutes each will be played, with an increment of 10 seconds after each move.
- If the score remains tied, two more games of 10 minutes each will be played, with 10 seconds added to each move.
- If the result is still undecided, two blitz games of 5 minutes each will be played, with an increment of 3 seconds after each move.
- Finally, an Armageddon match of 3 minutes + 2 seconds increment will be played until a winner emerges.
Divya's Confidence and Strategic Comeback
In the second game, Divya Deshmukh displayed a highly strategic game. She responded accurately to Humpy's every move and took advantage of the opportunity when Humpy lost a pawn. Although Humpy tried to complicate matters, she also lost her two bishops in the process, giving Divya the opportunity to equalize and bring the game to a draw.
Divya said: "The first game was quite disappointing for me. It was a draw, but it felt like a loss. Today I just mentally toughened myself up and tried to play simply."
Divya is an Example of Mental Fortitude
When Divya was asked how she forgets the mistakes of the first game and focuses on the next game, she gave a very emotional and inspiring answer: "I tell myself that I have a whole life to be sad, so don't be sad today. Focus on the game right now. If I stay sad now, the next game will also be bad."
It is this mental strength that sets her apart from other players. If Divya defeats Humpy in the tiebreaker on Monday, she will complete her final step from Woman Grandmaster (WGM) to full Grandmaster (GM). With this achievement, she could become one of India's youngest female Grandmasters.
