Divya Deshmukh beats Tan Zhongyi to enter FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 final, secures Candidates spot

India’s Divya Deshmukh beat China’s Tan Zhongyi in Game 2 of the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 semifinal to secure a spot in the final, in Batumi, Georgia on Wednesday.

The Indian chess star outplayed her opponent with white pieces to claim a 1.5-0.5 win in the semifinal, after having drawn the first game on Tuesday.

Deshmukh pounced on a mid-game error from Zhongyi to gain a two-pawn advantage, before trading queens.

After briefly fumbling her position, Deshmukh regained her advantage and guarded it from thereon. Tingjie eventually resigned after her opponent went a rook up.

The 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh also became the first Indian to enter the final of FIDE Women’s World Cup. 
| Photo Credit:
Anna Shtourman/FIDE

With this win, Deshmukh also claimed a spot in the Candidates tournament set to happen in 2026, while also securing her first Grand Master norm.

The 19-year-old also became the first Indian to enter the final of FIDE Women’s World Cup.

In the other semifinal, India’s Koneru Humpy and China’s Lei Tingjie played out a second consecutive draw to head into a tiebreak which will be played on Thursday.