Latest news with #TanZhongyi
Time of India
a day ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Despite Women's World Cup final defeat, Koneru Humpy leads FIDE Circuit leaderboard; Divya Deshmukh makes massive jump
The outcome of the 2025 Women's World Cup has significantly impacted the upcoming 2026 Women's Candidates tournament lineup. Eight spots are available in the 2026 Women's Candidates tournament. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Two positions were already secured through the Women's Grand Prix by winner Zhu Jiner and runner-up Alexandra Goryachkina. Three more spots were recently determined at the Women's World Cup in Batumi, Georgia. Indian prodigy Divya Deshmukh, aged nineteen, achieved multiple successes in Batumi. She secured the title with a 1.5-0.5 tiebreak victory over reigning World Rapid champion Koneru Humpy, earning both a Grandmaster norm and a place in the 2026 Candidates. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. Koneru Humpy and Tan Zhongyi, a former Women's World Champion, qualified by finishing second and third, respectively. With five spots now filled, players have two remaining qualification opportunities. These include the Grand Swiss tournament in September, offering two spots, and the FIDE Women's Events 2024-25 series winner position. The Grand Swiss stands as the strongest open tournament in chess, with strict qualification standards. The FIDE Women's Events series operates differently, using a cumulative points system. The series awards Ranking Points based on performance across eight major women's events. These include both 2024 and 2025 World Rapid and Blitz Championships, the 2025 World Championship Match, Grand Prix Series 2024-25, World Cup 2025, and Grand Swiss 2025. FIDE Women's Circuit Leaderboard Players' final scores are calculated from their top five performances across these events. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Batumi World Cup has altered the 2024-25 FIDE Women's Events series standings. Humpy leads with 224 Ranking Points, maintaining a 70-point lead over second-placed Tan Zhongyi. The current top five ranked players have already secured Candidates tournament spots. World Champion Ju Wenjun, previously ranked first, now holds sixth place after missing the Women's World Cup. As current World Champion, she automatically bypasses the Candidates. Anna Muzychuk leads the series qualification race with 80 Ranking Points. Despite winning the final Women's Grand Prix leg, she missed qualifying through that pathway. Three players follow closely behind Muzychuk. Lei Tingjie, the previous Candidates winner, holds eighth place with 62 points. Harika Dronavalli and Kateryna Lagno follow with 58.5 and 54.5 points, respectively.
News18
2 days ago
- Sport
- News18
FIDE World Cup Shakes Up 2026 Women's Candidates Race, Only 3 Spot Left
Last Updated: The final three spots at 2026 Women's Candidates will be decided across Grand Swiss and FIDE Women's Events 2024–25 series. The outcome of the 2025 Women's World Cup has significantly influenced the landscape for the 2026 Women's Candidates tournament. The competition for the eight spots in the 2026 Women's Candidates is intensifying. Zhu Jiner and Alexandra Goryachkina secured two positions through the Women's Grand Prix, finishing as winner and runner-up respectively. Three additional spots were decided at the recently concluded Women's World Cup in Batumi, Georgia. Nineteen-year-old Indian talent Divya Deshmukh achieved a remarkable hat-trick in Batumi. Her 1.5–0.5 tiebreak victory over former World No. 2 Humpy Koneru not only earned her the title but also a Grandmaster norm – automatically awarded to the winner – and a spot in the 2026 Candidates, bringing her one step closer to a shot at the world title. Humpy Koneru and former Women's World Champion Tan Zhongyi also qualified, finishing second and third respectively. How To Qualify For 2026 Women's Candidates? With five out of eight places in the Candidates already determined, players have just two more opportunities – the Grand Swiss in September (offering two qualifying spots) and winning the FIDE Women's Events 2024-25 series. While the Grand Swiss is traditionally the strongest open tournament on the calendar, filtering the elite through its qualification standards, the FIDE Women's Events series operates on a cumulative points system. What Are The Stadnings For 2024–25 FIDE Women's Events? The World Cup in Batumi reshuffled the standings in the 2024–25 FIDE Women's Events series. Humpy Koneru now leads comfortably with 224 Ranking Points, more than 70 ahead of Tan Zhongyi in second. The current top five players in the standings are already qualified for the Candidates. World Champion Ju Wenjun holds sixth place (down from first, which she previously held), as she did not participate in the Women's World Cup. As the defending World Champion, Ju does not need to compete in the Candidates. The top player still vying for a spot through the series is Anna Muzychuk, currently holding 80 Ranking Points. Despite a strong performance and winning the final leg of the Women's Grand Prix, she ultimately fell short of qualifying through that route. Trailing Muzychuk are three contenders with between 54.5 and 62 points. Lei Tingjie, winner of the previous (2022–23) Candidates and an unsuccessful title challenger, currently sits eighth with 62 points. Close behind her are veterans Harika Dronavalli (58.5) and Kateryna Lagno (54.5), both within striking distance. The final three spots in the Candidates will be decided across three key events. Two places will go to the winner and runner-up of the Grand Swiss in September. The last spot will be awarded to the winner of the FIDE Women's Events 2024–25 series, based on Ranking Points earned in the Grand Swiss, the World Rapid, and the World Blitz. First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
‘I think I got lucky': Divya Deshmukh drops verdict on FIDE Women's World Cup semi-final win vs ex-World Champ Zhongyi
Divya Deskhmukh is set to face Koneru Humpy in an all-Indian FIDE Women's World Cup, starting on Saturday. The 19-year-old reached the final after defeating former World Champion Tan Zhongyi in the semi-finals, qualifying for the Candidates 2026, and also winning her first GM norm. 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh defeats former Women's World Champion, Tan Zhongyi of China.(@FIDE_chess X) The semi-final between Divya and Tan was a topsy-turvy encounter. But it alteast didn't reach the tie-breakers and now she gets some rest before the final. Divya Deshmukh opens up on her semi-final win On being asked about her win, she said, 'I don't know… I think I could have played much better.' She added, 'I was winning at one point, then I messed up in the middle game. I think I should have had a much smoother win. She (Tan) put up such a good fight after a point that I was just doubting if this will end up as a draw but I think I got lucky in the end.' Divya is also a three-time Olympiad gold medalist, and has clinched multiple golds at the Asian C'ship, World Junior C'ship and the World Youth Championship. Divya is a Nagpur native, and became India's 21st woman chess Grandmaster in 2021. She also won the Women's Indian Chess C'ship in 2022. During the 2025 World Rapid and Blitz Team Chess C'ships in London, she defeated world No. 1 Hou Yifan in the blitz semi-finals, which was also her first-ever win against the Chinese GM. She also became the FIDE World U-20 Girls Chess Champion in 2024, and was the fourth Indian to do so after Humpy (2001), Harika Dronavalli (2008) and Soumya Swaminathan (2009). Lauding her, her childhood coach Srinath Narayanan opened up on her contribution in the Indian U-16 tema winning silver at the age-group Olympic in 2018. He told The New Indian Express, 'A penchant for closing out those big games. She was considerably weaker than the boys (the format was such that each team had to have at least one girl and there were no separate boards for girls). Her start wasn't that great but her spirit was geared towards more and she played a big role in us winning the decider (to win silver).'
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First Post
23-07-2025
- Sport
- First Post
Divya Deshmukh continues making history in Batumi by storming into FIDE Women's World Cup final
Divya Deshmukh was assured of a spot in the 2026 Women's Candidates Tournament after defeating China's Tan Zhongyi 1.5-0.5 in the semi-finals of the FIDE Women's World Cup on Wednesday, which also helped her earn her Grandmaster norm. read more India's Divya Deshmukh reacts after defeating China's Tan Zhongyi to advance to the FIDE Women's World Cup Final in Batumi, Georgia on Wednesday, 23 July. Image credit: Screenrgab of video posted by FIDE on X Divya Deshmukh made history in Batumi, Georgia on Wednesday after defeating China's Tan Zhongyi 1.5-0.5 in the semi-finals of the FIDE Women's World Cup. The International Master thus not only qualified for next year's Women's Candidates Tournament after being guaranteed a top-three finish at the ongoing tournament, she also became the first Indian to reach the final of the Women's World Cup. Divya achieved the feat with a gruelling victory over Chinese Grandmaster Tan in 101 moves while playing with white pieces in Game 2 of their semi-final clash on Wednesday. The two players had played out a 30-move draw in Game 1 on the previous day, in which the Indian had played with black pieces. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Grandmaster' Divya becomes first Indian in World Cup final In the process, Divya also earned the title of 'Grandmaster', having earned her third and final norm by advancing to the World Cup final. Watch: 🇮🇳 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh advances to the Finals of the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025! ❗️She earns a GM norm and secures her spot at the next Women's Candidates!#FIDEWorldCup @DivyaDeshmukh05 — International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) July 23, 2025 The Women's World Cup could witness a historic all-Indian final if Koneru Humpy goes on to defeat Chinese top-seed Lei Tingjie in the tie-breaks, with the two Grandmasters playing out back-to-back draws in the Classical games. More to follow
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Divya Deshmukh in tears after becoming first Indian to reach FIDE Women's World Cup final
Divya Deshmukh (Screengrabs) India's rising chess sensation IM Divya Deshmukh created history by defeating former world champion GM Tan Zhongyi to secure a place in the final of the FIDE Women's World Cup on Wednesday, becoming the first Indian woman to do so and earning her first GM norm in the process. The 19-year-old, playing with the white pieces on the day, displayed remarkable composure and tactical precision to outclass her higher-ranked Chinese opponent, becoming the youngest Indian woman to reach the title clash of this prestigious tournament. World no. 18 Divya, who had drawn her first semifinal game with black pieces, capitalised on the advantage of playing with white in the second game. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! She built steady pressure through the middle game and forced inaccuracies from Tan Zhongyi, eventually converting her position with clinical precision. This victory marks a milestone moment in Indian women's chess, with Divya continuing her meteoric rise on the international stage. Meanwhile, Grandmaster Koneru Humpy faces a tense tie-break after being held to a draw by China's Lei Tingjie in their second semifinal clash. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Up to 70% off | Libas Purple Days Sale Libas Undo Watch: Despite having the white pieces, Humpy was unable to break Lei's stubborn defence. The two will now battle it out in rapid and blitz tie-break games on Thursday to decide who will claim the second spot in the final. With two Indians in the semifinal stage, the tournament has already underlined Asia's dominance in women's chess. At least one Indian will now feature in the next Women's Candidates Tournament, as three qualification spots are up for grabs from this event. Divya's journey to the final is particularly inspiring, as she has outplayed seasoned names with fearless and attacking chess. Her triumph over Tan Zhongyi, a player renowned for her resilience, signals the arrival of a new star in the women's circuit. All eyes will now be on Humpy's tie-break, as Indian fans dream of an all-Indian final in this $691,250 event. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
