A missed chance in Game One of the Finals @ Women’s Chess World Cup
Game one of the 2025 Women’s Chess World Cup Final between Humpy Koneru and Divya Deshmukh concluded in a draw. Deshmukh had White in the first game, and had two moments with a significant advantage, but did not capitalize and the rest of the game played as equal with only queens and rooks left.
Black has just played 13. …Ke8-f8?? instead of 13. …Kd8. White opted for 14. Bxb7?? Qxb7 15. Qe2, but Black was able to conjure a defence with 15. …Nc6 and giving back the piece.
14. Qe2! immediately was the move to maintain the advantage, for obscure reasons. It’s not easy to explain simply, but if the same line as the game with 14. …Nc6 15. d5, then with the help of the bishop on f3 White would be able to arrange a favourable invasion on the e-file. Black’s queen and bishop are a bit superfluous, so the trade of bishops helps them.
The third place game between Lei Tingjie and Tan Zhongyi also ended in a draw. It looked very blocked up, with knights and major pieces remaining amidst a lot of fixed pawns, though the engine rated Black (Lei) as having the chances to push, if any.
Game two of the Deshmukh/Koneru Final starts at 11:15 a.m. UTC on Sunday. Follow along on Lichess.
Photo by Anna Shtourman / FIDE
