Divya Deshmukh beats Koneru Humpy in tiebreaks to win FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup

India’s Divya Deshmukh beat compatriot Koneru Humpy in tiebreaks to claim the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup title on Monday, in Batumi, Georgia.

The 19-year-old Divya triumphed in the second rapid game, after having played out a balanced draw in the first game, against Humpy, who is the reigning women’s world rapid champion.

The win also earned Divya her Grandmaster title, making her the fourth Indian woman to become a GM, after Humpy, R. Vaishali, and Harika Dronavalli.

Playing with black pieces in the second game, Divya capitalised on a series of endgame mistakes from the experienced Humpy to gain an advantage and drove it home to secure the biggest victory of her young career.

With the tie heading into a heavy piece endgame, and potentially a draw, Humpy looked to force the issue with a pawn sacrifice. But, the gambit failed to produce the desired result as Divya piled on the pressure.

AS IT HAPPENED – HUMPY vs DIVYA TIEBREAKS

Divya soon traded off her queen and a rook to set up an endgame where she leaned on her piece and time advantage to gain ascendancy.

The defining moment came with Humpy’s 54.. Rxf4, which opened up the a-file for Divya, allowing her pawn to make a run for promotion.

Divya though almost surrendered her grip on the game with 67.. f5, which could have allowed Humpy to get back in the game.

Divya in action during the World Cup final.
| Photo Credit:
Anna Shtourman

But Humpy’s ill-advised pawn push to h7 with her 67th move, under time pressure, sealed the deal. The 38-year-old soon accepted defeat, after her 75th move.

This was Divya’s fourth consecutive win against a GM in this tournament, following triumphs over China’s Zhu Jiner in the pre-quarterfinal, India’s D Harika in the quarterfinal and China’s Tan Zhongyi in the semifinal.

With the win, Divya also secured a prize money of $50,000 (Rs 41.6 lakh), while Humpy will take home $35,000 (Rs 29.1 lakh).