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News18
8 hours ago
- Sport
- News18
Divya Deshmukh springs another surprise to be in semis
Batumi (Georgia), Jul 21 (PTI) Slowly but surely emerging as one of India's key players, International Master Divya Deshmukh stunned higher-ranked compatriot Harika Dronavalli 2-0 in the tiebreaks to enter the semifinals of the FIDE World Women's Chess Cup here. After two uneventful draws in the classical games, the pressure was on Harika in the rapid tiebreaks. Divya capitalised with a determined performance to win the first game, before sealing the match in the second as Harika, in a must-win situation, overpressed in search of a miracle that never came. While Harika has been a semifinalist on three different occasions in a similar format which was then called the world women's championship, Humpy and now Divya have become the two Indians who made it to the semis of the women's world cup as this is a part of the new world championship cycle. This also means that one Indian entry is assured in the Women's Candidates Tournament slated sometime next year, which will decide who will contest the world championship match against incumbent Ju Wenjun of China. Highest-ranked Indian for over a decade, Koneru Humpy is already in the last four for the first time in her career, and this is one title that has eluded her all these years. With Divya Deshmukh joining her as the other semi-finalist, it shows a paradigm shift in Indian women's chess too, where the boys have largely been making hay. Divya employed the Italian Opening in the first game and gave nothing away. Harika was outdone in the middlegame while trying to find some serious counterplay but ended up miscalculating, which cost her the queen for two white pieces. The rest was easy for Divya, who has now established herself as a force to reckon with in women's chess. In the return game, Harika had to win, but again Divya was up to the task in defence. It is well known that Harika adores her chances in faster versions, but against Divya she did not get many. It was a picturesque finish in the end that closed the doors for Harika. In the semifinals, Humpy will meet top seed Lei Tingjie of China, while Divya will face former women's world champion Tan Zhongyi, also of China. PTI Cor ATK view comments First Published: July 21, 2025, 22:15 IST 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.
News18
3 days ago
- Sport
- News18
FIDE Women's World Cup: Harika, Divya, Humpy, Vaishali through to quarters
Agency: Last Updated: Batumi (Georgia) Jul 18 (PTI) Grandmasters Koneru Humpy, D Harika R Vaishali and International Master Divya Deshmukh stormed into the quarterfinals of the FIDE World Women's Chess Cup, scripting history as India became the first country to field four players in the tournament's last-eight stage. All four women won their tiebreaks to advance to the last eight stage. Humpy gave a glimpse of her old self looking assured and calm as she overcame Alexandra Kosteniuk, who is now representing Switzerland after switching from Russia. Humpy won in the first round itself which was a testament to her superiority over other rivals. She defeated Kosteniuk won with a 1.5-0.5 margin. Divya continued to punch above her weight, stunning second seed China's Jiner Zhu 1.5-0.5. She won the first game with black and held a draw in the return leg with white, showcasing composure beyond her years. That left Harika on the toes as she lost the first game as black against another Russian Kateryna Lagno. But she struck back as white to reach the second tiebreaker. The Indian then drew the first game as black and pounced on her chances with white to move to the quarterfinals. With all four Indian women into the quarterfinals it has now become a race between India and China as to who would annex the Cup and make to the top three that guarantees a place in to the women's Candidates. It may be recalled that the lone Georgian Nana Dzagnidze is also into the quarters with some exceptional play thus far. PTI COR APA APA view comments First Published: July 18, 2025, 23:15 IST 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.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
FIDE Women's World Cup: Harika, Divya, Humpy, Vaishali through to quarters
Grandmasters Koneru Humpy, D Harika and R Vaishali and International Master Divya Deshmukh stormed into the quarterfinals of the FIDE World Women's Chess Cup, scripting history as India became the first country to have four players in the tournament's last-eight stage. All four women won their tiebreaks to advance to the last eight stage. Humpy gave a glimpse of her old self looking assured and calm as she overcame Alexandra Kosteniuk, who is now representing Switzerland after switching from Russia. Humpy won in the first round itself which was a testament to her superiority over other rivals. She defeated Kosteniuk won with a 1.5-0.5 margin. Divya continued to punch above her weight, stunning second seed China's Jiner Zhu 1.5-0.5. She won the first game with black and held a draw in the return leg with white, showcasing composure beyond her years. That left Harika on the toes as she lost the first game as black against another Russian Kateryna Lagno. But she struck back as white to reach the second tiebreaker. The Indian then drew the first game as black and pounced on her chances with white to move to the quarterfinals. Vishali, on the other hand, defeated Kazakhistan's Meruert Kamalidenova. With all four Indian women into the quarterfinals it has now become a race between India and China as to who would annex the Cup and make to the top three that guarantees a place in to the women's Candidates that will determine the challenger for the next Women's World Championship. While Humpy and Vaishali will next face China's Song Yuxin and Tan Zhongyi respectively, Divya will take on Harika in an all Indian quarterfinal. It may be recalled that the lone Georgian Nana Dzagnidze is also into the quarters with some exceptional play thus far.
News18
14-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
FIDE World Women's Chess Cup: D Harika And R Vaishali Reach Pre-Quarterfinals
Last Updated: D Harika and R Vaishali advanced to the pre-quarterfinals of the FIDE World Women's Chess Cup. Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh are also in the last 16, but Vantika Garewal exited. Indian Grandmasters D Harika and R Vaishali advanced to the pre-quarterfinals by defeating Tsolakidou Stavroula of Greece and American Carissa Yip, respectively, in the tie-breaker of the FIDE World Women's Chess Cup on Monday. Harika overwhelmed Stavroula's defence in the second set of tie-break games, which provide 10 minutes for both players. Vaishali excelled in the first set, decisively beating Yip. With Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh already in the last 16, India now holds a 25% share of the final 16 positions. However, Grandmaster Vantika Garewal exited the tournament after losing to Kateryna Lagno of Russia. Despite displaying grit and determination, Lagno's experience proved decisive. Who Will Be Indian's Challenege? The remaining 16 players are familiar rivals, but the competition will become fiercer with three spots available for the next women's Candidates' tournament, which will determine the challenger for reigning champion Wenjun Ju of China. Harika maintained her usual high standard, capitalising on Stavroula's unforced errors. Vaishali, favoured in her match against Yip, did not disappoint her supporters. The next round is crucial for the four remaining Indian players as it could bring them closer to the semifinals of this USD 691,250 prize money event. Vantika, unfortunately, will return home, but her victory over former world champion Anna Ushenina of Ukraine will be remembered fondly. Despite her exit, she made a significant impression in the tournament. Complete results after round: Antoaneta Stefanova (Bul) lost to Lei Tingjie (Chn) 0-2; Zhu Jiner (Chn) beat Aleksandra Maltsveskaya (Pol) 2-0; Irina Bulmaga (Rou) lost to Tan Zhongyi (Chn) 0.5-2.5; Koneru Humpy (Ind) beat Kulon Klaudia (Pol) 1.5-0.5; Anna Muzychuk (Ukr) lost to Yuxing Song (Chn) 1-1 .1-1, 0.5-1,5goes to tiebreak; Vantika Agrawal lost to Kateryna Lagno (Fid) 1-1, 1-1, 0.5-1,5;; Nana Dzagnidze (Geo) beat Valentina Gunina (Fid) 1-1 . 1-1. 2-0; Bella Khotenashvili (Geo) lost to Mariya Muzychuk (Ukr) 0-2; Dronavalli Harika (Ind) beat Tsolakidou Stavroula (Gre) 1-1, 1-1, 2-0; Carissa Yip (Usa) lost to R Vaishali (Ind) 1-1, 1-1, 0.5-1.5; Polina Shuvalova (Fid) lost to Lela Javakhashvili (Geo) 0.5-1.5; Teodora Injac (Srb) lost to Divya Deshmukh (Ind) 0.5-1,5; Kaliakhmet Elnaz (Kaz) lost to Umida Polonova (Uzb) 0.5-1.5-0.5; Meri Arabidze (Geo) lost to Alexandra Kosteniuk (Sui) 1-1, 0.5-1.5; Osmak Yuliia (Ukr) beat Lu Miaoyi (Chn) 1.5-0,5; Kamalidenova Meruert (Kaz) beat Anna Shukhman (FID) 1.5-0.5. view comments 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.
The Hindu
07-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
World Women's Chess Cup: Vantika held to draw by Shohradeva in first round
India's Woman Grandmaster Vantika Agrawal was held to a draw by Turkmenistan's Lela Shohradeva in the first round of the FIDE World Women's Chess Cup here on Sunday. There were not many surprises on the opening day when as many as 86 players competed to progress to the second round. The top three finishers at the World Women's Chess Cup will qualify for the prestigious Candidates' tournament. India's Koneru Humpy, D Harika, R Vaishali and Divya Deshmukh have been directly granted entry in to the second round by virtue of their ratings and the other five Indian girls had mixed results on the opening day. Vantika, as black, did get as many chances as she might have liked against Turkmenistan's Lela Shohradeva. But her calculation did not back her well in the middle game, which was about equal. The endgame appeared soon with rooks on board, and despite being a pawn less, it was clear that it was headed to a draw. Former national women's champion, Padmini Rout and P V Nandhidhaa won their openers, while Kiran Manisha Mohanty and K Priyanka crashed out of the tournament. ALSO READ: Carlsen wins GCT 2025 Zagreb; Gukesh finishes third, Praggnanandhaa ends in ninth Rout came up with a fine effort to beat Zhang Linin of China, while Nandhidhaa got the better of Ortiz Verdezoto Anahi of Ecuador. It was a tough draw for the two other Indian women in the fray as Yuxin Song defeated Mohanty, while Hungary's Zsoka Gal scored a win over Priyanka. A second game and a tiebreak will be played to decide who will make it to the round of 64. The total prize pool of the event is 6,91,250 USD. Top pairings round 1: Carissa Yip (Usa) beat Hannah Wilson (Bar); Evi Yuliana (Ina) lost to Stavroula Tsolakidou (Gre); Bella Khotenashvili (Geo) beat Caxita Esperanca (Ang); Ning Isabelle Yixuan (Nzl) drew with Valentina Gunina (Fid); Anna Ushenina (Ukr) beat Jesse February (Rsa); Ruelle Canino (Phi) lost to Anna Shukhman (Fid); Yuxin Song (Chn) beat Kiran Manisha Mohanty (Ind); Tania Miranda Rodriguez (Mex) lost to Kulon Klaudia (Pol); Azhar Puteri Munajjah Az-Zahraa (Mas) lost to Antoaneta Stefanova (Bul); Zsoka Gaal (Hun) beat K Priyanka (Ind); Lala Shohradova (Tkm) drew with Vantika Agrawal (Ind); Padmini Rout (Ind) beat Zhang Lanlin (Chn); Ortiz Verdezoto Anahi (Ecu) lost to P V Nandhidhaa
