The FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 kicks off in Batumi, Georgia, from July 6 to July 28. This thrilling chess showdown features 107 top women players vying for the prestigious title and three coveted spots in the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament. India’s Koneru Humpy, seeded fourth in the women’s world cup, spearheads a strong nine-player Indian contingent. With a $691,250 prize pool and high stakes, this knockout event promises intense battles.
Humpy Headlines India’s Strong Contingent
India fields nine players in the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025. Koneru Humpy, a former world championship challenger, leads as the fourth seed in the women’s world cup. Harika Dronavalli (10th seed), Vaishali Rameshbabu (11th seed), and Divya Deshmukh (15th seed) also receive first-round byes. Vantika Agrawal, Padmini Rout, PV Nandhidhaa, Priyanka K, and Kiran Manisha Mohanty complete the Indian lineup. In 2023, Harika reached the quarteropinion quarterfinals. However, she lost to champion Alexandra Goryachkina.
The Indian players face tough draws. Humpy could meet Alexandra Kosteniuk in round four, while Vaishali might face Goryachkina. Divya could challenge Tan Zhongyi, and Harika may confront Kateryna Lagno. “Every match is a new challenge,” Humpy shared in a ChessBase India interview. Every match is unpredictable, so we must wait and watch until a true champion emerges, as the competition heats up with these legends!
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High Stakes and Fierce Competition
The FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 offers a $50,000 prize for the winner and three Candidates spots. If top seeds Zhu Jiner or Goryachkina finish in the top three, the fourth-placed player qualifies. China’s Lei Tingjie, Zhu Jiner, and Tan Zhongyi top the seeds, but Goryachkina, the defending champion, remains a favorite. Anna Muzychuk, fresh off her Norway Chess win, also eyes the title. The knockout format includes two classical games per round, with rapid and blitz tiebreaks if needed. FIDE’s YouTube channel will livestream the action.
The tournament’s format tests endurance. Classical games give players 90 minutes, with a 30-second increment per move and a 30-minute boost at move 40. Rapid tiebreaks start with 25-minute games, followed by 10-minute games, then 5-minute blitz games. A final 3-minute blitz game decides tied matches.
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