Chess | Koneru Humpy creates historical past, becomes first Indian woman to enter FIDE Women’s World Cup semifinals | Chess News

Koneru Humpy scripted historical past by changing into the first Indian woman to attain the semifinals of the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup. A composed draw within the second sport of her quarterfinal conflict towards China’s IM Song Yuxin was sufficient to seal her spot within the last 4.Despite just a few minor inaccuracies through the sport, Humpy maintained management, choosing a secure and strategic method. Eventually, Yuxin provided a draw — a end result that secured Humpy’s historic development.Humpy had taken the higher hand earlier, successful the first sport of the two-game quarterfinal sequence in Batumi on Saturday evening.In one other quarterfinal, an all-Indian conflict between Harika Dronavalli and rising star Divya Deshmukh remained carefully contested. Playing with the white items, Divya opted for the Slav Defense: Modern Line, however Harika stored her at bay all through. The duel stretched to 60 strikes earlier than each gamers agreed to a draw, with no decisive breakthrough.Meanwhile, Vaishali Rameshbabu’s spectacular marketing campaign got here to an finish after she was outplayed by China’s third seed, Tan Zhongyi.Top seed Lei Tingjie of China continued her dominant run, defeating Georgia’s Nana Dzagnidze for a straight path into the semifinals. Humpy will now face Tingjie in a blockbuster semifinal showdown, whereas Tan Zhongyi awaits the winner of the Harika vs Divya matchup.The stakes are excessive — the highest three finishers on the World Cup will qualify for the Candidates Tournament later this 12 months. With no less than one Indian assured of a semifinal berth from the Harika-Divya tie, India is assured illustration within the subsequent stage of the world championship cycle.Quarterfinal outcomes: Koneru Humpy (Ind) beat Yuxin Song (Chn) 1.5-0.5; Nana Dzagnidze (Geo) misplaced to Tingjie Lei (Chn) 0-2; R Vaishali (Ind) misplaced to Tan Zhongyi (Chn) 0.5-1.5; Divya Deshmukh (Ind) drew with D Harika (Ind) 1-1 goes to tiebreaker.