India’s teenage superstar Divya Deshmukh’s dream run at the ongoing FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 continued as she knocked out former World Champion China’s Tan Zhongyi in the semifinal in Batumi on Wednesday, becoming the first Indian to reach the finals of this elite tournament. This also meant Divya qualified for the Candidates Tournament as well.
The 19-year-old stunned World No. 4 for the biggest win of her career. She handed Tan a loss in the second leg of their semifinal clash by white pieces to win the tie 1.5-0.5 after drawing the first leg with black pieces.
The monumental feat also helped Divya get her first GM norm and get closer to becoming India’s fourth-ever female Grandmaster. Only Koneru Humpy, Harika Dronavalli and R. Vaishali have the GM title among Indian women.
Divya played a wild Alapin Sicilian Defense game to convert a match which ebbed and flowed both ways.
DIVYA DESHMUKH VS TAN ZHONGYI SEMIFINAL SECOND LEG
The teenage sensation had earlier ousted second seed China‘s Zhu Jiner in the fourth round, before eliminating compatriot Harika Dronavalli in the quarterfinals. The India No. 2 Harika, who had already reached the quarterfinals in 2023 (the first Indian to make the top eight), took the quarterfinal clash to the tiebreaks after playing two draws in the Classical leg, but the youngster proved too good to handle for the 34-year-old Harika.
Divya will take on the winner of the second semifinal played between top seed China’s Lei Tingjie and India No. 1 Koneru Humpy. The Humpy vs Lei game moved to tiebreaks after the duo played two draws in the Classical legs.
Divya Deshmukh in action against Tan Zhongyi during FIDE World Cup semifinal. (FIDE/Anna Shtourman)
Divya’s result meant two Indians can get a spot at the prestigious Candidate tournament. If Humpy qualifies for the final, she will also be assured of a Candidates spot. Even if she loses, Humpy will have another shot at making it into the World Championship challenger tournament.
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The FIDE Women’s World Cup is the most crucial event in the World Championship cycle, offering three qualifying spots for Candidates. The Women’s Grand Prix Series 2024-25 and the Grand Swiss provide two spots each, while the last is reserved for the highest-placed player in the ‘FIDE Women’s Events 2025-26’ series. The winner of the Candidates will earn the right to challenge the reigning World Champion, in this case, China’s Ju Wenjun.
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