FIDE Women’s World Cup: Humpy Faces Yuxin Song as India Eyes Historic Semifinal Sweep
India secures at least one semifinal spot with Humpy, Harika, Vaishali, and Divya in the quarterfinals, a first for any nation
Grandmaster Koneru Humpy, India’s top-rated female chess player, is poised to chase her first FIDE Women’s World Cup title as she takes on China’s Yuxin Song in the quarterfinals today. Joined by compatriots D Harika, R Vaishali, and Divya Deshmukh, India has made history as the first nation to field four players in the tournament’s last eight, ensuring at least one semifinal berth due to an all-Indian clash between Harika and Divya.
Humpy, 38, showcased her enduring prowess by defeating former world champion Alexandra Kosteniuk in the pre-quarterfinal tiebreaks, winning 1.5-0.5 with a commanding performance. As the fourth seed, she is favored against Song, who upset Anna Muzychuk earlier. A victory could secure Humpy a spot in the Women’s Candidates Tournament, with the top three finishers earning qualification.
The all-Indian quarterfinal pits Harika, a two-time World Cup semifinalist known for her resilient style, against 19-year-old Divya, the tournament’s giant-killer who stunned second seed Zhu Jiner 1.5-0.5 in tiebreaks. Divya’s composure under pressure marks her as a rising star, but Harika’s experience makes this a closely contested matchup.
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R Vaishali, the 2024 Women’s Grand Swiss champion, faces a formidable challenge against former world champion Tan Zhongyi. Vaishali’s aggressive play and recent Candidates experience make her a contender, but Zhongyi’s tactical depth poses a significant hurdle.
The final quarterfinal features China’s top seed Lei Tingjie against Georgia’s Nana Dzagnidze, who ousted Mariya Muzychuk. With a $691,250 prize pool and $50,000 for the winner, the stakes are high. India could see up to three semifinalists, a feat that would cement its status as a chess superpower. Matches are streamed live on FIDE’s YouTube channel.
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