Four Indian Women Chess Stars Shock the World, Reach Chess World Cup Quarterfinals

Indian chess fans have recently witnessed an unprecedented achievement as four top Indian women players, Humpy Koneru, Harika Dronavalli, Divya Deshmukh, and Vaishali R, advanced to the quarterfinals of the Chess Women’s World Cup held in Baku, Azerbaijan, on July 20, 2025.

Performance Highlights

The tournament matches were intense and showcased exceptional skill:

• Humpy Koneru displayed her characteristic aggressive style to secure a 2.5-1.5 win in a best-of-four classical match.
• Harika Dronavalli combined solid defense with strategic offense to also win 2.5-1.5.
• Divya Deshmukh stunned the chess world by upsetting a highly ranked opponent with a final score of 2.5-1.5.
• Vaishali R demonstrated excellent middle-game tactics and sealed her quarterfinal berth with a 2-0 blitz victory in the tiebreaks following drawn classical games.

Historic Significance

This is a landmark moment for Indian chess because having four women players reach the quarterfinals simultaneously is unprecedented. The Chess Women’s World Cup not only offers financial rewards but also serves as a qualifier for the Women’s World Chess Championship, significantly raising the stakes.

Player Reactions

The victorious players expressed profound joy and determination:

1. Humpy Koneru said, “It’s a great feeling to represent India at this level and advance among the world’s best.”
2. Harika Dronavalli remarked, “Each match was challenging, but our preparation and focus paid off.”
3. Divya Deshmukh and Vaishali R shared similar excitement and enthusiasm for the tournament’s future stages.

Looking Ahead

The quarterfinals are scheduled to begin on July 22. Indian fans are hopeful to witness more history as these players compete for a spot in the semifinals and continue to elevate the reputation of Indian women in global chess.

Chess experts attribute this success to improved training facilities and increased international exposure. Social media platforms have been flooded with congratulatory messages celebrating this breakthrough.

Stay tuned for further updates on Space Sports.

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Bhavya

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