FIDE Women's World Cup final 2025 Game 1 HIGHLIGHTS: Divya, Humpy settle for 41 move draw

Koneru vs Divya Women's Chess World Cup final 2025 highlights: The two finalists will now face each other with all on stake in game 2 of the final on Sunday

8:23 PM

FIDE Women's Chess World Cup Final LIVE UPDATES: Game 1 ends in a draw

Divya Deshmukh couldn’t find a breakthrough, and Humpy Koneru smartly forced a draw by repetition, ensuring both players shared half a point each. It was a balanced battle with neither side giving an inch. With the first classical game ending in a stalemate, all eyes now turn to tomorrow’s clash. Humpy will have the white pieces in the second classical game, giving her a slight advantage as the World Cup semi-final continues.

8:12 PM

FIDE Women's Chess World Cup Final LIVE UPDATES: As it stands

We’re deep into the middlegame, and Divya Deshmukh has constructed a commanding position with all three major pieces (queen and two rooks) controlling key files and diagonals. Her queen sits menacingly on a7, supported by rooks on b4 and e3, while Koneru Humpy is under immense pressure on the kingside.

7:33 PM

FIDE Women's Chess World Cup Final LIVE UPDATES: Game after 20 moves

Divya Deshmukh continues to pile on the pressure in this thrilling final against Koneru Humpy. After 19...Qxc6, Divya plays 20.Rb4, doubling down on queenside pressure and targeting the loose c4 pawn. It’s a powerful positional move that also eyes potential rook lifts or file invasions.

7:22 PM

FIDE Women's Chess World Cup Final LIVE UPDATES: After 19 moves

The battle has entered a sharp middlegame phase. Divya Deshmukh continued her aggressive play with 17.Rab1, pressuring the b-file. After Humpy’s 17...Qa6, Divya went for 18.Bxd6+, forcing 18...cxd6, and followed it up with 19.dxc6, grabbing a dangerous passed pawn. Humpy recaptured with 19...Qxc6, but her king remains exposed and queenside development lags.

 

Divya holds strong activity and central control, with open files and a more secure king.

7:15 PM

FIDE Women's Chess World Cup Final LIVE UPDATES: Game summary after 16 moves

Divya Deshmukh has played aggressively in the Women’s Chess World Cup final against Koneru Humpy, sacrificing a knight early to seize the initiative. Humpy grabbed material but is yet to castle, and her king remains vulnerable on f8. Divya’s strong central control, especially with her advanced d5 pawn and active queen, gives her the edge after 16 moves. Humpy is under pressure to develop and neutralize Divya’s growing attacking momentum.

6:56 PM

FIDE Women's Chess World Cup Final LIVE UPDATES: Game after 11 moves

Here’s the position after 11.Nxc4 bxc4. Divya Deshmukh has sacrificed a knight to open up the c-file and create active chances around Humpy’s undeveloped queenside. The board now shows a complex battle of initiative versus material.

 

Current position highlights:

• Humpy is a piece up but still hasn’t castled, and her queenside remains undeveloped.
• Divya has castled, connected her rooks, and brought her light-squared bishop to a strong diagonal on a3.
• Central tension looms, especially with the d4 and c3 pawns threatening to push.
• The c-file is fully open, and both queens remain in original positions.

6:40 PM

FIDE Women's Chess World Cup Final LIVE UPDATES: Divya sacrifices a knight to open lines!

In a bold tactical decision, Divya has sacrificed her knight with 11.Nxc4, capturing the pawn on c4. The aim appears to be dynamic piece activity and long-term pressure rather than material safety. Humpy, after some thought, accepts the sacrifice with 11...bxc4, grabbing the material and restructuring her queenside pawns.

 

Latest sequence:

 

11.Nxc4 bxc4

 

Divya now has open lines and a central pawn majority, but she’s a piece down. The next few moves will be crucial to see if this sacrifice yields enough compensation—or if Humpy can consolidate her material edge.

6:26 PM

FIDE Women's Chess World Cup Final LIVE UPDATES: Divya centralises pressure with bold bishop move

We’re 10 moves in, and the battle is intensifying. After Humpy captured on e4 earlier, Divya responds sharply with 10.Ba3, developing her bishop with purpose while eyeing the d6 square. Humpy immediately reacts with 10...Nd6, reinforcing the position and keeping her king in the centre for now.

Here’s the position after 10 moves:

1.d4 d5
2.c4 dxc4
3.e4 e5
4.Nf3 Bb4+
5.Nc3 Nf6
6.Nxe5 b5
7.Be2 Bb7
8.O-O Bxc3
9.bxc3 Nxe4
10.Ba3 Nd6

Divya has active pieces and a strong knight on e5, while Humpy maintains material balance but still hasn’t castled. With the centre open and development racing ahead, the coming moves could be critical in deciding who gains the upper hand in this high-stakes final.

6:14 PM

FIDE Women's Chess World Cup Final LIVE UPDATES: Humpy making a comeback

Koneru Humpy responds to Divya Deshmukh’s early castling with the first real material exchange of the final. She eliminates the knight on c3 with 8...Bxc3, trading her bishop for central control. Divya recaptures confidently with 9.bxc3, reinforcing her knight on e5 and opening the b-file in the process.

 

Humpy follows it up with 9...Nxe4, jumping her knight into the heart of the board and posing a direct central challenge.

 

Here are the moves so far:

 

1.d4 d5

2.c4 dxc4

3.e4 e5

4.Nf3 Bb4+

5.Nc3 Nf6

6.Nxe5 b5

7.Be2 Bb7

8.O-O Bxc3

9.bxc3 Nxe4

 

The centre is now fully contested, with both players showing early intent. Divya has doubled pawns but good central space and rapid kingside development, while Humpy has an active knight and potential pressure building. A fascinating middlegame awaits!

5:45 PM

FIDE Women's Chess World Cup Final LIVE UPDATES: Game summary after 9 moves

Here’s how the board looks after nine moves – and it’s already a sharp, dynamic position. Both players have committed to active lines, and the centre is heating up.

 

Position after 9 moves:

 

d4 d5

 

c4 dxc4

 

e4 e5

 

Nf3 Bb4+

 

Nc3 Nf6

 

Nxe5 b5

 

Be2 Bb7

 

O-O O-O

 

Ne5 Ne4

 

Divya’s knight stands firmly on e5, while Humpy has just challenged it with her own knight on e4. The queens are still undeveloped, and both players are walking a fine line between central control and rapid development. Strategic fireworks may not be far off.

5:33 PM

FIDE Women's Chess World Cup Final LIVE UPDATES: Divya takes lead

Divya has taken 22 minutes lead over Humpy. 

5:25 PM

FIDE Women's Chess World Cup Final LIVE UPDATES: Divya goes for castle

Divya Deshmukh has committed to kingside safety with a short castle on move 8. With that, she brings her rook into play and signals that she’s ready for the middlegame. Koneru Humpy now takes a moment to reassess, as the position begins to take strategic shape.

5:10 PM

FIDE Women's Chess World Cup Final LIVE UPDATES: Divya putting pressure on Humpy

Humpy has just developed her bishop to b7, reinforcing the queenside and keeping control of the long diagonal. Now it’s Divya Deshmukh's turn, and she’s taking her time to evaluate her next move.

 

The game so far:

 

1.d4 d5

2.c4 dxc4

3.e4 e5

4.Nf3 Bb4+

5.Nc3 Nf6

6.Nxe5 b5

7.Be2 Bb7

 

It’s a sharp and imbalanced position already, with central tension and queenside expansion by Humpy. All to play for.

4:59 PM

FIDE Women's Chess World Cup Final LIVE UPDATES: Game so far

It’s a Queen’s Gambit Accepted on the board as Divya opens with 1.d4 and 2.c4, and Humpy responds with an early ...dxc4. The position sharpens quickly after 3.e4 e5, with Divya taking the centre assertively. Humpy goes for a check with ...Bb4+, and both players develop rapidly.

 

An early exchange sees Nxe5 from Divya, and Humpy responds with the thematic ...b5 to hold onto the c4 pawn. Divya calmly develops her dark-squared bishop with Be2 before we reach the end of the game score provided.

4:52 PM

FIDE Women's Chess World Cup Final LIVE UPDATES: Humpy with bold start

Humpy has opted for the Queen's Gambit accepted in the opening.