India’s rising chess star Divya Deshmukh defeated China’s second-seeded Grandmaster Zhu Jiner in Game 1 of the pre-quarterfinals in a stunning turn of events at the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025.
The match, held in Batumi, Georgia, saw Divya dominate with the white pieces, showcasing strategic brilliance and composure against a formidable opponent.
This victory marks one of the most significant upsets of the tournament so far, boosting India’s prospects in the prestigious event that offers three spots for the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026.
Meanwhile, fellow Indian contenders R. Vaishali, Koneru Humpy, and Harika Dronavalli were held to draws in their respective matches. Vaishali, also playing white, drew against Kazakhstan’s Meruert Kamalidenova. Humpy and Harika, both with black pieces, held their ground against Switzerland’s Alexandra Kosteniuk and Russia’s Kateryna Lagno, respectively.
Historically, only Harika Dronavalli has reached the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup, achieving the feat in 2023. With Divya’s breakthrough performance, Indian fans are hopeful for a deeper run this year.
Game 2 of the pre-quarterfinals is scheduled for Thursday, July 17, at 4:45 PM IST, where all four Indian players will aim to secure their spots in the next round.
