Let the games begin: Celebrating the start of the World Schools Team Championship 2025
The opening ceremony of the World Schools Team Championship 2025 began with a colorful Parade of Nations, featuring players from more than 50 countries including India, China, the United States, and Norway. This was followed by the official transfer of ownership from FIDE to the International School Chess Federation, after which the event was formally declared open. The tournament officially commenced on August 3, 2025, in the historic city of Alexandria, Virginia. Hosted at Episcopal High School, just outside Washington, D.C., the venue offers a beautiful campus with modern facilities and rich tradition, an ideal setting for a tournament that encourages critical thinking, fair play, and global connection. This event will bring together over 50 teams from around the world, uniting young chess players in a truly international competition. Unlike a traditional indoor event, the opening ceremony embraced the sunny weather and took place outdoors on the grass lawn in front of the Hoxton house dormitory. Schools lined up in alphabetical order, and one by one, teams marched toward the front stage, proudly holding their country’s flag. The ceremony host introduced each team over the speakers, with upbeat music playing in the background to energize the crowd. The audience responded with loud applause, giving every team their moment in the spotlight. After all the teams had been welcomed, the national anthem of the United States played, followed by the FIDE anthem. FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich then took the stage to pass the championship flag to Timur Turlov, President of the International School Chess Federation (ISCF). This symbolic gesture marked the official transfer of responsibility for the event to the ISCF. “Following the World Corporate and the World Rapid & Blitz, this is the third major global chess event we are hosting in the U.S. in just over a year, and we hope to do more. We are eternally grateful to our partners, particularly Freedom Holding and Mr. Timur Turlov – for their generous support for chess globally, at all levels. And on this note, it is my honour to formally entrust the International School Chess Federation with care and stewardship over the FIDE World Schools Team Championship,” said Arkady Dvorkovich, President of FIDE. Timur Turlov followed with a speech highlighting the educational value of chess and the importance of making the game accessible to children everywhere. “Chess is not just a sport. It’s a way of thinking. It teaches discipline, decision-making, and the ability to see the consequences of your actions. It’s a game that shapes the kind of thinking every person needs – in life, in his or her career, in society. I say this not only as the head of a federation, but as a father whose children play chess. I see, game after game, how they learn to think, to be patient, to win – and sometimes to lose with dignity. Chess is a school of life. And we want more children around the world to have access to this beautiful game,” said Timur Turlov, President of the International School Chess Federation. He ended his speech by officially declaring the World Schools Team Championship 2025 open, drawing a warm round of applause from the crowd. The opening ceremony was attended by distinguished guests and prominent figures from the global chess and academic communities. Among them were present Dr. Bill Poucher, Executive Director of the International Collegiate Programming Contest (ICPC), ACM Fellow, and Professor of Computer Science at Baylor University, recognized for his decades-long contributions to computer science and innovation and Dana Reizniece, former Latvia’s Minister of Economics and Minister of Finance, and current FIDE Deputy Chair. Their presence underscored the significance of the event and its role in shaping the future of scholastic chess worldwide. Applications are now open to host the next World Schools Team Championship! National chess federations, educational institutions, and event organizers interested in hosting the tournament are invited to submit their proposals. Please include a description of the venue, infrastructure, and a letter of intent. All applications should be sent to: info@ischoolchess.com For more information and the full program, please visit the official website of the Federation and follow our social media accounts – exciting, inspiring, and unforgettable moments lie ahead! More information: Championship website: worldschoolteam2025.fide.com/ Summit website: worldschoolteam2025.fide.com/summit/ ISCF website: ischoolchess.com/ General Partner: Freedom Holding Corp.Join us in Washington, D.C. / Alexandria from August 2–7, 2025.
Magnus Carlsen wins first ever edition of Chess Esports World Cup
Magnus Carlsen representing Team Liquid took home gold in Riyadh after a dominant performance against Team Falcons’ Alireza Firouzja in Chess at EWC 25. Carlsen added another trophy to his legendary résumé on August 1, defeating Alireza Firouzja in the Grand Final of Chess at 2025 Esports World Cup. The Norwegian grandmaster crushed his opponent with an overall score of four wins, two draws, and a single loss. The gap between the world’s No. 3 Blitz player, Alireza Firouzja (2856), and the world No. 1, Magnus Carlsen (2937), couldn’t have been more apparent after the action concluded in Riyadh. The chess competition at the Esports World Cup consisted of two stages. In the group stage, the sixteen players from thirteen teams were divided into four groups and competed in a GSL-style double elimination bracket for eight spots in quarterfinals. The playoffs were an eight-player single-elimination bracket. The teams that lost in the semifinals competed in a third-place match. All matches in the playoffs were best-of-threes but the final was a best-of-five. A dominant opening Carlsen looked sharp in the opening set, claiming a win and two draws to put the score at 3-1, securing a commanding lead. Having to reset going into the second set, Firouzja’s impressive retort saw Magnus blunder his rook after 50 moves, leading to Firouzja’s only win of the series. Clearly unhappy, Carlsen shot back in the second game, punishing Firouzja with his calculating play. Firouzja looked pressed, burning through much more of his clock than Magnus. The difference between the two became even more obvious with each player’s heart rate displayed on screen. Carlsen remained calm and collected throughout the majority of the final. A blunder by Firouzja in game three pushed the series to 2-1, with Magnus on match point. And just like that, it was over. A weak opening by Firouzja was punished by Carlsen, who ultimately defeated the French GM in just two sets. “I’ve got my bow and arrow ready” Early in the event, Magnus had been supremely confident. Responding to a Team Falcons trash-talking tweet in an interview, he stated that the Falcons “better do well in other games because you’re not going to win chess.” Then, following his victory over Falcons’ Hikaru Nakamura in the semifinals, he doubled down. “It pissed me off when they cheered when Hikaru was winning,” he said. “I’ve got my bow and arrow ready, I’ve shot one Falcon, I want to shoot one more tomorrow.” With two Falcons skewered, Magnus takes home the win for Team Liquid, earning 1,000 Club Championship points and rocketing them into contention to win the Club Championship. The grandmaster also wins $250,000 – one of the largest competitive chess prizes in recent memory. Firouzja’s second-place finish locks Team Falcons in second place on the Club Championship leaderboard, still lacking the first-place finish required to win the overall club trophy. He also pockets the $190,000 second-place prize. Earlier in the day, Hikaru defeated Arjun Erigaisi in the third-place match, a best-of-six series. With his teammate Firouzja in the final, Nakamura’s points do not count toward Team Falcons’ total, but he will take home $145,000. Erigaisi claims $115,000 in prize money for fourth place, along with 300 Club Championship points for Gen.G. Text and photos: esportsworldcup.com/ Official website: esportsworldcup.com/en/competitions/chess
FIDE World Youth Championships 2025: Registration deadline extended to August 15
Dear Delegates and Participants, We hereby inform you that, following increased demand from several countries, the registration deadline for the FIDE World Youth U14, U16, U18 Chess Championship 2025, October 3-16, 2025 held in Durrës, Albania has been officially extended to August 15, 2025. To date, we have received over 600 registrations, and the number is expected to grow significantly in the coming days. We kindly urge all delegations to proceed with registration and hotel arrangements without delay. Due to high demand, additional rooms may be requested but cannot be guaranteed after the deadline. Single room availability is limited. Delegations are strongly encouraged to opt for shared accommodations (double/triple rooms) to ensure efficient allocation and access for all participants. We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to welcoming you to Albania this October. Best regards, Organizing Committee FWYCC 2025 The 2025 FIDE World Youth Chess Championships (U14, U16, and U18) will be held in Durrës, Albania, from October 3 (arrival) to October 16 (departure). Each national federation may register one official player in each category (Under 14, Under 16, and Under 18, Open and Girls). This totals six official players plus one accompanying person (with a valid FIDE ID) per federation, all of whom are invited by the organizers. Registration deadline: August 15, 2025. Invitation letter and regulations (PDF) FIDE World Youth Chess Championships 2025 official website: worldyouth2025.fide.com E-mail: worldyouth@fide.com
World Women’s Team Championship 2025 heads to Linares, Spain
Photo: Michal Walusza The FIDE World Women’s Team Championship 2025 is set to take place in the legendary chess city of Linares, Spain, from November 17 to 24. Known as one of the most iconic venues in chess history, Linares will once again be in the global spotlight as it welcomes 12 of the world’s strongest women’s national teams to compete for the prestigious world title. “I am very excited that the Championship goes to Linares. The city is famous for its rich chess tradition – however it is not only about the past, but also the present and the future. I’d like to thank the local chess community and the Spanish Chess Federation for the cooperation, and we look forward to an exciting event,” said Emil Sutovsky, FIDE CEO Photo: European Best Destinations First held in 2007, the FIDE World Women’s Team Championship has become one of the most important events on the women’s chess calendar. Previous winners include China, Russia, Ukraine, and Georgia (reigning champion), with China claiming a record four titles. The event not only crowns the best national women’s team in the world, but also showcases rising stars and team spirit. The 12 teams competing in Linares are: * Semi-finalists of the 2023 edition: Georgia France Kazakhstan USA * Top-rated teams from each continent: China (Asia) Ukraine (Europe) Peru (Americas) Egypt (Africa) * Top federations by average rating (August 2025): India FIDE Team * Host nation: Spain * FIDE President’s nomination: To be announced The championship features 12 teams, split into two pools of six for a round-robin stage. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the knockout stage, consisting of semi-finals and a final. Each match between two teams consists of four boards, and matches are played under the standard time control: 45 minutes + 30 seconds per move from move one. Full regulations for World Women’s Team Championship 2025 (PDF)
2025 2nd FIDE Council Meeting: List of Decisions
2nd FIDE Council meeting 18 July 2025 Online List of decisions CM2-2025/01 To note President’s report. CM2-2025/02 To approve Treasurer’s report. CM2-2025/03 To allow a team of athletes of Russian nationality to participate in the 2025 Women’s World Team Championship under the FIDE flag subject to receiving a non-objection letter from IOC, and to continue consultations with IOC regarding possible participation of Russian and Belarus nationals in the future team competitions. CM2-2025/04 To note FIDE Calendar 2025/2026. CM2-2025/05 To note the Global Strategy Commission’s report. CM2-2025/06 To note the Arbiters’ Commission’s report. CM2-2025/07 To approve the recommendations of the Arbiters’ Commission on Seminars, Classification upgrades, Amendments to the lecturer list, FA norms and titles. CM2-2025/08 To note the Qualification Commission report. CM2-2025/09 To approve the recommendations of the Qualification Commission on titles. CM2-2025/10 To approve in principle Swiss Chess Federation’ request to convert their National ratings to FIDE ratings for their players. To authorize the Qualification Commission to set the exact terms for this procedure. CM2-2025/11 To approve the recommendations of the Trainers’ Commission on titles and Academies. CM2-2025/12 To approve the recommendations of the Events Commission on titles. CM2-2025/13 To approve the recommendations of the Chess in Education Commission on titles. CM2-2025/14 To note the Fair Play Commission’s report. CM2-2025/15 To approve the recommendations of the Fair Play Commission on titles. CM2-2025/16 To authorize the President to consult with respective Commissions and formulate the Council’s decision in respect of the Rules Commission’s proposal regarding the Fair Play. The decision shall be along the lines of the President’s proposal at the Council’s meeting. CM2-2025/17 To note the Commission’s for Women’s Chess report. CM2-2025/18 To note the Rules Commission’s report CM2-2025/19 To note Continental Presidents’ reports. CM2-2025/20 To send a letter to the Panama Chess Federation regarding the tournaments organized in Panama. CM2-2025/21 To note the report of the Reverse Delegate for the USVI Chess Federation. To request the Constitutional Commission’s advisory opinion for this matter. CM2-2025/22 To note the report of the Reverse Delegate for the Burkina Faso Chess Federation. CM2-2025/23 To approve the proposed procedure regarding the previous and new Federations of Burkina Faso, to request the Constitutional Commission’s opinion as part of the relevant process, and to include the corresponding agenda item for the 2025 General Assembly consideration. CM2-2025/24 To note the report of the Reverse Delegate for the Syria Chess Federation. To request the Constitutional Commission’s advisory opinion for this matter. CM2-2025/25 To note the update on the FIDE Social Year 2025. CM2-2025/26 To organise the FIDE General Assembly 2025 online. 2nd FIDE Council Meeting 18 July 2025 – List of decisions (PDF)
FIDE August 2025 rating list published
The August 2025 FIDE rating list was primarily influenced by the Women’s World Cup in Batumi, the Biel International Chess Festival and several other tournaments across Europe. The top 10 in the Open section remained unchanged from July, with the only exception being Wei Yi, who gained 5 rating points in his match against Levon Aronian. In contrast, the women’s top 10 saw several notable shifts following the Women’s World Cup 2025 in Batumi. Lei Tingjie (+8) consolidated her third position in the list and closed in on her title match opponent the reigning Women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun; Tan Zhongyi (+12) climbed to fourth place, while Zhu Jiner moved up one spot. The tournament winner, 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh (+15) reached her career-high 15th position and earned the Grandmaster title. Photo: Anna Shtourman Biggest gains in the top 100 (Open and Women) Schippke, Manon WIM FRA 2374 (+176) Prishita Gupta WFM IND 2353 (+135) Balabayeva, Xeniya WGM KAZ 2371 (+39) Kiolbasa, Oliwia IM POL 2393 (+32) Garifullina, Leya IM FID 2477 (+27) Kamalidenova, Meruert IM KAZ 2349 (+25) Theodorou, Nikolas GM GRE 2646 (+21) Divya Deshmukh IM IND 2478 (+15) Tabatabaei, M. Amin GM IRI 2673 (+14) Martinez Alcantara, Jose Eduardo GM MEX 2636 (+14) Salem, A.R. Saleh GM UAE 2640 (+13) Photo: Vivian Passig WIM Manon Schippke (pictured above) was the biggest rating gainer in July, earning a whopping 176 points in three competitions across France. The 18-year-old player from France broke into the top 100 Women and jumped straight to 9th position in the top female juniors list. WFM Prishita Gupta (pictured below) also debuts in the top 100 Women following her standout performances in Championnat de Paris 2025 Masters (+75 points) and Open International d’Aix-en-Provence (+60 points). Remarkably, the Indian teenager has earned over 400 (!) rating points over just the past two months. Photo: Shahid Ahmed Another overperformer in the Open International d’Aix-en-Provence is Leya Garifullina who collected 27 rating points in this competition, breaking into the top 20 Women for the first time in her career. WGM Xeniya Balabayeva made a triumphant return to the top 100 Women after a brief absence thanks to her excellent performance at the Oskemen Open 2025, where she gained 39 rating points, while Oliwia Kiolbasa added 32 points to her tally at the 11th Cesme International Open to reach 47th place in the women’s list – her best ranking since May 2023. Meruert Kamalidenova had stong showings in both the Vladimir Dvorkovich Memorial – Aktobe Open and the Women’s World Cup, boosting her rating by 25 points. Photo: Biel International Chess Festival Nikolas Theodorou (pictured above) made a major breakthrough in July following his successful runs in the Greece National Team Championship and Biel Chess Festival – Challengers. The 24-year-old GM from Greece earned 21 rating points to debut in the top 100 Open. Another newcomer to the top 100 Open is Jose Eduardo Martinez Alcantara who emerged as the winner of Lince Andujar Chess Open 2025, gaining 14 rating points along the way. Amin Tabatabaei added another title to his collection, lifting the trophy at the XXII Karpov International Chess Tournament (+14 points), while Saleh Salem returned to the top 100 Open after one-year absence, following a strong performance in the Biel Chess Festival – Masters.
World School Team Championship meets Smart Moves Summit
A major event in August bringing together school children, chess players, thought leaders and scientists set to transform how chess is perceived in the classroom The second edition of the World School Team Championship, a flagship event for school chess clubs, runs from 2 to 7 August at Episcopal High School – just 11 kilometers from downtown Washington D.C. More than 50 teams from different countries will compete in an eight-round Swiss-format tournament. “This will be one of the largest global children’s tournaments ever organized. With Freedom Holding covering all travel and accommodation, young players from across the globe will enjoy an experience that extends well beyond the board. Paired with the Smart Moves Summit on chess in education, this marks a milestone for scholastic chess and its role in childhood development,” said Emil Sutovsky, CEO of FIDE. Each team is fielding four main players, one reserve and one non-playing captain. Time control is 45 minutes plus a 10-second increment per move, with two games per day across four action-packed days. The inaugural edition of the World School Teams was held in Kazakhstan in 2023, laying the groundwork for this year’s expanded format. The 2025 event integrates competitive play with a major educational conference featuring scientists and experts in chess, learning, and life skills development. “The World Schools Team Championship is more than just a tournament – it’s a celebration of intelligence, unity, and the limitless potential of young minds. Bringing together teams from around the world, this event is a powerful example of how chess transcends borders and cultures. It helps develop critical thinking, resilience, and focus – skills essential for the 21st century,” said Timur Turlov, President of the International School Chess Federation. On 4-5 August, the Smart Moves Summit 2025 will bring together educational experts from over 30 countries, to discuss scientific research and showcase proven strategies on the role of chess in reshaping education and wellbeing. “As Artificial Intelligence reshapes every sector, educators and parents must find ways to equip students and children with critical thinking and resilience reflective of the 21st century challenges. This Summit brings together experts to share proven strategies,” Emil Sutovsky added. Spread across 15 sessions featuring panels, workshops, speeches and round-table debates, the conference will offer a host of fresh ideas and stimulating discussions across science, education and learning. It will deliver actionable conclusions and toolkits, to kicks-start the scale of school chess programs and using chess as a tool for self-improvement and personal development in both children and adults. “The Smart Moves Summit is a powerful reminder that education isn’t confined to classrooms: it lives in the lessons of strategy, patience, and foresight that chess teaches. By investing in this timeless game, we’re nurturing the minds of future leaders and empowering children with the tools to shape a smarter, more resilient world,” added Timur Turlov. Panels, round tables and master classes – What you will get from the Summit. Strategic Leadership in Global Chess EducationBrings together FIDE, national federations and partners to discuss long-term strategy, cross-sector collaboration and visionary leadership for global chess education. Chess in Early and Primary EducationExamines how introducing chess in preschool and primary settings supports executive functioning, emotional regulation, numeracy, language skills and social learning in inclusive, multilingual classrooms. More Than Equal – Levelling the Board for All Through Chess: Reviews global case studies on using chess to advance equity across gender, socio-economic status, ability and geography, moving from mere access to genuine agency. Tech on the Board Explores how digital platforms, tools and devices are transforming student engagement and learning through chess both inside and outside the classroom. Making the Case for Chess – Methodology, Policy, and Public Sector Partnerships: Looks at aligning chess-based learning methodologies with public education goals to build large-scale, lasting collaborations between chess organizations and government bodies. Chess + Math – Cognitive Games for Early Numeracy: A Master Class showing how to structure short, chess-based exercises tailored for early mathematics learners. Chess & Strategy Games Provides scalable, classroom-tested models that equip pre-service and in-service teachers with the skills and confidence to use chess and strategy games for cognitive development and interdisciplinary learning. The Power of Chess to Change Lives A case-study presentation, detailing how a chess program helped intellectual and social development among low-income youth. Sponsorship and Marketing at the Crossroads of Chess and EducationDiscusses how brands and organizations can sponsor school chess programs to support their growth while delivering value to partners. From Classroom to Cashflow – The Business of School Chess ProgramsAnalyzes how to build financially viable, pedagogically sound frameworks that sustain and scale school-based chess initiatives. Going Viral – How Social Media and Creators Are Redefining Chess Promotion (Cyber sport, Minecraft, Roblox)Investigates how social media, streaming platforms and digital influencers are reshaping the perception and reach of chess worldwide. Beyond the Final MoveReflects on lessons learned in school integration, technology use, partnership building and educational impact, and identifies urgent opportunities and challenges ahead. How to Train the TrainerShares methods for teaching chess in classrooms with neurodiverse learners and multiple language groups. Inclusive Chess EnvironmentsTechniques for teaching in neurodiverse, multilingual classrooms. A Statistical Spectroscope for Fair Play and Growing MindsExplores how analytics can reveal patterns in chess play to support ethical competition and cognitive development. Visit worldschoolteam2025.fide.com/summit for full details and to secure your seat. Early-bird pricing ending soon!
Five down, three to go: World Cup shakes up Women’s Candidates race
The latest 2025 Women’s World Cup outcome has rebalanced the landscape for the much-awaited 2026 Women’s Candidates tournament. The race for the eight spots in the 2026 Women’s Candidates is tightening. Two were secured through the Women’s Grand Prix – Zhu Jiner as winner and Alexandra Goryachkina as runner-up. Three more were decided at the recently concluded Women’s World Cup in Batumi, Georgia. Nineteen-year-old Indian talent Divya Deshmukh pulled off a hat-trick in Batumi. Her 1.5–0.5 tiebreak win over former World No. 2 Humpy Koneru not only gave her the title but also earned her a Grandmaster title – awarded automatically to the winner – and a place in the 2026 Candidates, one step away from a shot at the world title. Photo: Anna Shtourman Humpy Koneru and former Women’s World Champion Tan Zhongyi also qualified, finishing second and third, respectively. With five out of eight spots in the Candidates already determined, the players have just two more opportunities – the Grand Swiss in September (which carries two qualifying spots) and becoming the winner of the FIDE Women’s Events 2024–25 series. While the Grand Swiss is traditionally the strongest open tournament on the calendar, with qualification standards alone filtering the elite, the FIDE Women’s Events series, by contrast, operates on a cumulative points system. For context, players in the series are awarded Ranking Points (RP) based on performance in eight key events, which include the following women’s events: World Rapid Championship 2024 World Blitz Championship 2024 World Championship Match 2025 (only runner-up earns RP) Grand Prix Series 2024–25 (final standings used) World Cup 2025 Grand Swiss 2025 World Rapid Championship 2025 World Blitz Championship 2025 The final score of a player is calculated as the sum of the player’s RP in up to five of her best events. The World Cup in Batumi reshuffled the standings in the 2024–25 FIDE Women’s Events series. Humpy Koneru now leads comfortably with 224 Ranking Points, more than 70 ahead of Tan Zhongyi in second. The current top five players in the standings are all already qualified for the Candidates. World Champion Ju Wenjun holds sixth place (down from first, which she previously held), as she did not participate in the Women’s World Cup. As the defending World Champion, Ju does not need to play in the Candidates. The top player still in contention via the series is Anna Muzychuk, currently on 80 Ranking Points. Despite a strong performance and winning the final leg of the Women’s Grand Prix, she ultimately fell short of qualifying through that route. Photo: Przemek Nikiel Trailing Muzychuk are three contenders with between 54.5 and 62 points. Lei Tingjie – winner of the previous (2022–23) Candidates and unsuccessful title challenger – currently sits eighth on 62. Just behind her are veterans Harika Dronavalli (58.5) and Kateryna Lagno (54.5), both within striking distance. The final three spots in the Candidates will be decided across three key events. Two will go to the winner and runner-up of the Grand Swiss in September. The last place will be awarded to the winner of the FIDE Women’s Events 2024–25 series, based on Ranking Points earned in the Grand Swiss, the World Rapid, and the World Blitz. For those still chasing a spot, there’s little room for rest. The year will end with a demanding trio of events across all formats – classical, rapid and blitz – that could decide everything. We maintain a dedicated page on our website for the FIDE Women’s Events 2024-2025, featuring the latest information on eligible tournaments, current standings, and regulations. Visit: FIDE Women’s Events 2024-2025
Women’s World Cup 2025 closing ceremony: A night of music, memories, and triumph in Batumi
The closing ceremony of the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Cup was held in grand style at the Grand Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Batumi, Georgia, beginning at 7:30 PM with the stirring rendition of the Georgian National Anthem. The master of ceremonies warmly welcomed all distinguished guests, including FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich and President of the Georgian Chess Federation Akaki Iashvili. Akaki Iashvili took the stage first, congratulating the winners and extending heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in the event’s success. In his remarks, he noted the dominance of Indian and Chinese players, and underlined the World Cup’s prestige as one of the longest-running events in the FIDE calendar. He also highlighted the celebration of International Chess Day on July 20th, which coincided with the tournament. Iashvili paid tribute to the organizing committee, sponsors, and numerous FIDE commissions and officials whose efforts helped make this edition of the Women’s World Cup one of the most viewed in history. FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich followed with his own reflections. He thanked Akaki Iashvili and the Georgian hosts for creating an environment in which “the players could show their best effort.” Dvorkovich recalled his visit to the first round three weeks earlier, where he enjoyed the relaxed start of the competition but was fully aware of the intensity and stakes for the players. He expressed appreciation to those who had already departed, acknowledging the pride and memories they brought back to their home countries. “To all the winners—congratulations,” Dvorkovich said. “And to the people of Georgia: thank you for your warmth and hospitality. We look forward to coming back again.” The ceremony then featured a moving musical interlude by Rusa Tavartkiladze and Nona Diasamidze, two of Georgia’s most celebrated voices, who performed a beloved Georgian song that has become an unofficial anthem of Batumi. Before the prize distribution, attendees were treated to a video exhibition celebrating the tournament’s most memorable and emotional moments—from decisive victories and tearful interviews to unforgettable upsets and quiet moments of sportsmanship. Chief Arbiter Mahdi Abdulrahim addressed the audience with a brief speech of appreciation, and then invited the dignitaries to the stage: Arkady Dvorkovich (FIDE President) Akaki Iashvili (President, Georgian Chess Federation) Lukasz Turlej (FIDE Secretary General) Smbat Lputian (Vice President, Armenia Chess Federation; Appeals Committee) Zurab Azmaiparashvili (Continental President for Europe) Together, they awarded the top prizes of the 2025 Women’s World Cup: 4th Place – Lei Tingjie (China) 3rd Place – Tan Zhongyi (China) 2nd Place – Humpy Koneru (India) 1st Place – Divya Deshmukh (India) The gala concluded with the FIDE Anthem followed by the National Anthem of India, in honor of the newly crowned champion Divya Deshmukh. Written by IM Michael Rahal (Batumi, Georgia) Photos: Anna Shtourman About the tournament: The 2025 FIDE Women’s World Cup took place from July 6th to July 28th in Batumi (Georgia) and brought together the world’s best female chess players. A total of 107 players from 46 different federations participated in the event, including seventeen of the current top twenty! Chess legends, seasoned professionals and emerging talents contested for the $50,000 first prize, in addition to three qualifying spots for the Candidates. The full pairings tree and day-by-day results can be found on the Women’s World Cup website.
Divya Deshmukh becomes third Women’s World Cup Champion, defeats Humpy Koneru in tiebreak
Divya Deshmukh, the 19-year-old International Master from Nagpur, Maharashtra, etched her name into chess history by defeating Grandmaster Humpy Koneru 1.5–0.5 in the tiebreaks to win the Women’s World Cup. She now follows in the footsteps of GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (2021) and GM Aleksandra Goryachkina (2023) as the third-ever winner of this prestigious title. In the two 15+10 rapid tiebreak games, Divya showed both resilience and composure. After missing a golden opportunity in the first game, which ended in a draw, she brought elite-level precision to the second. There, she equalised comfortably as Black, then seized control as Humpy slipped under time pressure—clinching the crown in emphatic fashion. With this remarkable win, Divya Deshmukh is now not only the 2025 Women’s World Cup Champion, but also one of the most exciting young stars in the world of chess. After the final game, an emotional Divya embraced her mother before giving a short interview: “It’s hard for me to speak now. Of course, this definitely means a lot, but there is a lot more to achieve, so I am hoping that this is just the start,” she said. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEYitGH_RtI With this triumph, Divya not only secures the USD 50,000 first prize, but also automatically earns the Grandmaster (GM) title—the highest title in chess. In doing so, she becomes one of the very few players in history to achieve it by winning a major FIDE event rather than collecting the usual three GM norms and 2500 rating. Reflecting on this, Divya shared: “I still need time to process it. I think it was fate, me getting the Grandmaster title this way, because before this I didn’t even have one norm, and now I’m a Grandmaster.” Divya also qualifies for the 2026 Candidates Tournament, alongside the second and third-place finishers— GM Humpy Koneru and former Women’s World Champion Tan Zhongyi. A full prize-giving report with photographs is scheduled for later this evening. Up next: A closer look at today’s dramatic tiebreak games. Tiebreak Game 1: A missed opportunity FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich was on hand to greet both finalists before the round, wishing them the best of luck in the decisive tiebreak. At exactly 12:00, the chief arbiter started the clocks for the first of two 15+10 rapid games. Divya opened with 1.e4, and in a surprise deviation from her usual 2…Nc6 systems, Humpy Koneru opted for the Petroff Defence (2…Nf6)—a line she had largely set aside in favor of the ultra-solid Berlin since late 2023. Humpy had played the Petroff extensively after becoming a Grandmaster in 2002, and she returned to it today with a very specific sub-variation in mind. On move 6, she chose 6…Bf5, a reliable and less theoretical side-line she had previously used to defeat Divya in the Tata Steel India Blitz 2023. This system gives White dynamic play in exchange for an isolated queen’s pawn (IQP), while Black aims to reach slightly better endgames by neutralizing the activity. Up until move 15, the players followed a well-known game between Leon Luke Mendonca and Arseniy Nesterov from the 2024 Biel Masters, which ended in a draw. At this point, Divya made a principled and bold decision: she played 20.d5, aiming to liquidate the IQP and open lines for her active minor pieces. Humpy responded instantly with 20…Rad8!, targeting the newly weakened center. In the ensuing tactical sequence, Humpy won the d5-pawn, but White had just enough piece activity to maintain dynamic equality. Then came the blunder. With the clock ticking down to her final 20 seconds, Humpy played 33…Re7, overlooking a tactical shot. Divya immediately responded with 34.Rd1!, threatening to trade rooks and win the bishop on g6 after 34…Qb8, due to the pin and pressure. The only defense was for Humpy to sacrifice her queen, entering a materially imbalanced but defensible endgame: rook, bishop, and pawn vs. queen. Despite the material imbalance, Humpy built a fortress, Divya had a chance to break through on move 37, but missed this opportunity and the game ended in a draw. Instead of 37.Rc8?, trading the rooks Divya should have played 37.Qb8+, picking up the a7-pawn. The point is that the natural 37…Kh7 fails to 38.Rc8! followed by 39.Rh8+ winning. “A big missed chance for Divya,” remarked former five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand, who joined the official broadcast with expert commentary and praised both players for their fighting spirit. Tiebreak Game 2: Nerves, risk—and triumph With the score tied after the first rapid game, the pressure was at its peak as Humpy Koneru opened the second game with the Catalan Opening. In response, Divya Deshmukh chose the aggressive 4…dxc4, 5…Bb4+ variation—an ambitious and increasingly popular system at the top level, favored by elite Grandmasters like Dmitry Andreikin, Grigoriy Oparin, and Parham Maghsoodloo. In this line, Black accepts a pawn sacrifice, giving White a lead in development and long-term pressure on the dark squares. However, modern theory has shown that if Black times the pawn return correctly, the position can often simplify into a defensible or even equal endgame. “This opening does give you a chance to counterattack,” said Vishy Anand during the live broadcast, “but Divya will have to play passively for a few moves, which is not really her style.” Despite the slight passivity, Divya held on to the extra pawn heading into the middlegame, though at the cost of weaknesses on a5 and c6. Her pieces were slightly cramped, but the position remained balanced according to engines. Humpy’s major problem, however, was time. While Divya had over 11 minutes, Humpy was already under three. For the next 20+ moves, the players circled each other with careful maneuvers, but made little concrete progress. A draw looked imminent. And then came the turning point. With less than a minute left on her clock, Humpy suddenly played 40.e4?!, a central break that shocked commentators. After 40…dxe4, she immediately followed up with 41.d5?, a blunder that allowed Divya to strike with 41…Qe5!, seizing control. “A totally self-inflicted collapse by Humpy,” said Anand. “There