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FIDE Women’s World Cup: Harika, Humpy, Divya, And Vaishali Make Final Eight

By IANS News July 18, 2025 • 23:32 PM View: 169

World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk: In a day of electric drama and nerves of steel, all four Indian women pushed through to the quarterfinals of the FIDE Women’s World Cup, proving once again that India is a rising superpower in world chess.

Two of them—GM Humpy Koneru and IM Divya Deshmukh—sealed their spots early. Humpy, the reigning World Rapid Champion, overcame former World Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk in a composed performance, navigating a sharp first game and locking in qualification with a solid second draw.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old Divya continued her sensational run, defeating GM Zhu Jiner 1.5-0.5 in their rapid tiebreak. Zhu's queen sacrifice in the second game was brave, but Divya’s calm and calculation proved too strong.