In a battle of generations, 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh held 38-year-old Koneru Humpy to a second successive draw in the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup final on Sunday in Batumi, Georgia. After a tense opening match filled with missed chances, both players leaned on deep preparation and defensive precision in Game 2, which ended peacefully in 34 moves with an impressive 98.8% accuracy rate.
Humpy, playing white, opened with the English but transitioned into a Queen’s Gambit Declined – Semi-Tarrasch variation. Divya responded sharply with the Agincourt Defense, gradually neutralizing Humpy’s early initiative. Despite the theoretical strength of Humpy’s bishop pair, Divya’s solid central control and well-timed exchanges led the game toward equality.
Both rooks were off the board by move 19. Humpy attempted to spice things up by sacrificing a pawn on move 23, and Divya admitted to misjudging her 24th move, calling it an unnecessary slip that led to a slightly uncomfortable position. However, she regrouped, and by move 34, with perpetual checks available, the draw was sealed.
Former national champion Pravin Thipsay praised Divya’s resilience but noted Humpy could have regained her pawn with better timing on move 28. Still, Divya’s improved queen placement thwarted any real winning chances.
The World Cup final will now be decided in Monday’s rapid and blitz tiebreakers. Divya, who once beat Humpy in a 2023 Rapid final, remains confident: “She’s strong, but I’ll give it my all.”