Chess World Cup: Koneru Humpy, Divya Deshmukh play out a draw in Game 1 of the final
Humpy attempted to force a draw by repetition on move 29, but Divya declined and opted for a different line - a bold decision given the situation on the clock. The risk momentarily appeared to pay off, particularly when Humpy pushed her pawn to d5 on move 34 - a slight inaccuracy. However, Divya was unable to capitalise, and by move 41, with the same position repeated three times, the players agreed to a draw.The result ensures that the final remains delicately balanced. Humpy, who has looked in commanding form with the white pieces throughout the tournament, will have that advantage in Game 2, scheduled for Sunday. The third-place match between Chinese Grandmasters Tan Zhongyi and Lei Tingjie also ended in a draw.The second game of the final will begin at 4:45 PM IST (1:15 PM local time) on Sunday, 27 July. If the scores remain level, tie-breaks will be held on Monday to determine the winner of the 2025 Women's World Cup.- EndsMust Watch
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
United News of India
8 hours ago
- United News of India
FIVB President tells local amateurs to "keep enjoying the game" at men's VNL Finals
Ningbo (China), Aug 1 (UNI) Fabio Azevedo, President of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) today joined local amateurs for an air volleyball event in Beilun, Ningbo, the host city of the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Finals. The activity saw FIVB officials and local enthusiasts engage in a lively air volleyball match, drawing cheers and applauses from spectators with several thrilling rallies. "It's amazing. It's fantastic because air volleyball can be the best way for kids to start playing," Azevedo said. "The ball is light, it doesn't hurt, and the way of playing is so easy. It enables mass participation and brings joy to all age groups." Azevedo also noted the inclusiveness of the sport: "Air volleyball is a great manifestation of a sport. It's a great promotion of a sport. Everybody can play. The court is smaller, the net is lower, it's easy, inclusive, and fun. It's already included in FIVB's global volleyball movements." In addition to the sporting activities, FIVB officials immersed themselves in local culture. They watched traditional lion dances and martial arts performances and toured a local intangible cultural heritage market, exploring Chinese traditional crafts such as paper-cutting, tie-dye, and tea whisking. "It is an amazing demonstration of Chinese cultural heritage," Azevedo said. "I can't pick a favorite, all of them are beautiful reflections of Chinese culture." Azevedo also took the opportunity to encourage local fans to keep embracing volleyball as part of their everyday lives. "Keep playing. Keep enjoying the game," he added. "Volleyball has the power to bring people together. It's all about togetherness. We want to see more people playing and getting engaged in volleyball." UNI/XINHUA BM
The Hindu
10 hours ago
- The Hindu
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya felicitates FIDE Women's World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh
Divya Deshmukh, the newly crowned Women's chess World Cup champion, was felicitated by the Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Friday. Grandmaster Koneru Humpy, who had finished runner-up to Divya, joined online from her home for the felicitation. 'Grandmasters like you serve as inspiration for the new generation. More youngsters will take to sports, especially a mind game like chess,' said the Sports Minister. Applauding Humpy on her long innings in the game, Mandaviya said, 'I have read about Humpy and know that she has inspired many in her journey. I remember going home and watching her games with my children'. The 19-year-old Divya, who hails from Nagpur, acknowledged the felicitation with commendable maturity. ALSO READ | Divya Deshmukh enters top-15 in rankings after World Cup win 'I am very happy that the title has come to India. Humpy played very well, and I was lucky. Today, I feel very happy to be felicitated by the Sports Minister. This motivates athletes and gives youngsters the message that they have the support of the country,' said Divya. 'It was a long and exhausting tournament. I am happy that I was able to play till the end. With two players of different generations competing in the final from India, we ensured that the title for our country,' said Humpy.
NDTV
10 hours ago
- NDTV
Divya Deshmukh Hopes Her Chess World Cup Win 'Motivates And Inspires Lot Of Young Girls'
FIDE Women's World Cup gold medallist, who also became the 88th Grandmaster of the country and 4th Indian woman to become a Grand Master Divya Deshmukh, believes her run at the tournament was a 'test of resilience' and hopes it motivates young girls to dream and achieve more on a global level. Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Mansukh Mandaviya, felicitated Divya and her final opponent, Koneru Humpy in New Delhi on Friday. "I think this tournament has been the biggest task of resilience, and also it was such a long event, so it definitely tested my physical and emotional stamina and also how to handle my nerves in the crucial moments. "It (resiliency) is definitely one of the things that has helped me come this far; that and always always fighting to the end because I think that even in this tournament that has helped me a lot," Divya told IANS. The 19-year-old Divya stunned the chess world by winning the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025, becoming the first Indian woman to claim the prestigious title. In the all-Indian final, Divya defeated legendary compatriot Koneru Humpy 1.5-0.5 in the rapid tiebreaks on Monday to script a fairytale ending. "I would say it definitely helped chess in India and I'm hoping that it becomes motivation and inspiration for a lot of young girls that are out there and they are watching and are having big dreams, so I hope that they know that they can achieve them. I think it will hopefully play a small part," she added. The classical games played in the final had ended in tense draws, with both players showcasing resilience and elite-level play. But the tie-breaks were where the young sensation flipped the script. After the first rapid game ended in a draw, the second saw Humpy crack under time pressure, making critical blunders that Divya pounced on. With nerves of steel, Divya closed out the win to become the 2025 Women's World Cup champion, the fourth Indian woman to earn the Grandmaster title, and the country's 88th GM overall. "It has been very overwhelming coming to India seeing so much love from people, so much support from people. It has been really nice. It has been quite an exhausting trip and also an exhausting few days, but I don't think my heart could be any happier," she concluded. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
