A Calm Start to the Semifinals @ Women’s Chess World Cup

The first games of the semifinals at the 2025 Women’s Chess World Cup both ended as draws. Lei Tingjie vs. Humpy Koneru and Tan Zhongyi vs. Divya Deshmukh carried only small amounts of tension, and the matches will go to game two tied.

Tan-Deshmukh played a stable Queen’s Gambit Declined to a 30-move draw, with no big chances to speak of for either player, which might be considered a mini-victory for Deshmukh who will have the white pieces in what would be a winner-take-all second game. Lei had some chances to push for a lead against Koneru, with the following position after move 17.

Koneru has played 17. …Nd7-e5?! rather than 17. …Nf6. It may have opened a window for White to immediately play 18. f4! and chase around Black’s pieces, rather than starting with the simple 18. Bg2. Lei made an inaccuracy a few moves later, which returned the game to approximate equality, and the players drew on move 38.

The semifinals continue Wednesday at 11:15 a.m. UTC. Follow along on Lichess.

Photo by Anna Shtourman / FIDE