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
 "FIDE Women's Chess World Cup final 2025 game 1 highlights")
FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup final 2025 game 1 highlights
The opening game of the FIDE Women’s World Cup final in Batumi delivered an intense and intricate battle between Indian stars Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh, marking a historic all-Indian championship clash. With Game 1 taking place on July 26, both competitors showcased the nerve and depth that got them past world-class opponents in earlier rounds.
Early Game: Bold Openings and High Stakes
Divya, wielding the White pieces, opened the game energetically, entering a sharp Queen’s Gambit structure. Humpy replied solidly, but as early as move 10, Divya sprang a positional challenge with her bishop development to a3, aiming to seize the initiative on the queenside. Though Humpy grabbed the e4 pawn earlier, she found her own king stuck in the center, delaying castling and creating potential vulnerabilities.
Middle Game: Tension and Positional Mastery
By the 11th move, Divya had not only castled kingside but also mobilized her rooks, signaling aggressive intentions. Her bishop on a3 pressed along a powerful diagonal, keeping Humpy on the defensive. The fully open c-file and a tense pawn structure in the center meant both sides were jockeying for control, with Divya’s active pieces creating practical threats and dynamic tension.
Humpy’s resilience showed as she sought to untangle her slightly awkward queenside pieces and match Divya’s precision. The balance of the position hinged on subtle maneuvers and calculation, with both players mindful of the match’s psychological and historical weight—a guaranteed first Women’s World Cup win for India.
Endgame and Result
The game progressed with razor-sharp calculation on both sides. Neither player was able to break through decisively, with exchanges in the center leading to a dynamic but balanced endgame scenario. After several hours of high-quality play, the players agreed to a draw, setting up Game 2 as a winner-takes-all showdown
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.
Topics : World Chess Championship CHESS
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First Published: Jul 26 2025 | 4:00 PM IST