Queen's Gambit: Humpy Checkmates History as India’s First Lady of Chess

Key highlights

 

India's leading woman chess grandmaster Koneru Humpy created history as she became the first Indian woman to reach the semifinals of the FIDE Women's Chess World Cup 2025. In a sport traditionally dominated by international powerhouses, Humpy's achievement not only marks a personal milestone but elevates the profile of Indian women in international chess.

 

How Humpy Clinched Her Historic Semifinal Spot

 

Humpy booked her semifinal spot with a stubborn effort against China's Song Yuxin in the quarterfinals. Taking the first game with the white pieces and carefully playing out a draw in the second, she outmaneuvered Yuxin's efforts to seek a breakthrough, booking her place in the final four—a first for any Indian woman in the World Cup.

 

No Indian woman before Humpy had progressed so far in this prestigious knockout-format tournament, underlining the magnitude of her success.

 

Broader Influence on Indian Chess

 

Humpy's progress guarantees India a spot in the next Candidates Tournament, the gateway to the Women's World Chess Championship. Coupled with fellow Indians Divya Deshmukh and D Harika also making a deep run in the World Cup, India now has a chance to have a record number of players at the highest level of women's chess.

 

Her streak follows hot on the heels of her winning the 2025 Pune FIDE Women's Grand Prix, where she remained unbeaten, and comes after her earlier career records of being the first Indian woman Grandmaster and the second woman in history to cross the 2600 Elo rating threshold.

 

What Lies Ahead With Humpy gearing up for the semifinals, the spotlight is on her to potentially make it to the final and fight for the world title—a victory that would further consolidate her legacy and spur the next generation of Indian chess players.

 

Sources: Republic World, chess.com, Indian Express