Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 24: In a nerve-racking semifinal showdown at the FIDE Women’s World Cup, Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy edged out China’s Tingjie Lei 5-3 after an intense eight-game battle, securing a spot in the final against fellow Indian Divya Deshmukh.

The match was a test of endurance and mental resilience, with both players refusing to yield an inch. The initial two classical games ended in hard-fought draws, setting the stage for a dramatic tiebreak phase.

In the Rapid tiebreakers, the deadlock persisted as the first two games again ended in draws, leveling the match at 2-2. Tingjie broke through in the third Rapid game, exploiting a rare blunder by Humpy in the endgame to take the lead 3-2.

Facing elimination, Humpy staged a brilliant comeback with the white pieces, delivering a crushing win in the fourth Rapid game to level the scores at 3-3 and force the match into Blitz deciders.

With nerves stretched and the clock ticking, Humpy took white in the first Blitz game and built early pressure with a sharp opening. Despite mid-game errors allowing Tingjie back into the contest, Humpy showed her trademark composure in the final seconds. In a chaotic flurry of moves, with both players under 25 seconds, she held firm through a tactical minefield to claim victory and take a 4-3 lead.

Carrying that momentum, Humpy sealed the match 5-3 with a clinical final Blitz performance, completing one of the most thrilling turnarounds in the tournament.

The result sets up a historic all-Indian final between Humpy and 18-year-old rising star Divya Deshmukh — a generational clash that promises fireworks.