Koneru Humpy vs Divya Deshmukh: Chess World Cup 2025 Final Preview, Schedule, Live Streaming, Prediction

The upcoming FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 final is set to be a historic event with an all-Indian face-off between grandmasters Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh.

This marks the first time two Indian players have reached the final, guaranteeing India both the gold and silver medals in this prestigious chess tournament.

Koneru Humpy vs Divya Deshmukh Final Schedule and Format

Schedule: Saturday, July 26, 2025, at 4:30 PM IST (if a Draw, Match 2 on July 27)
Tie-breaks (if necessary): Monday, July 28, 2025

The format consists of classical time controls:

Each player has 90 minutes for the first 40 moves.
Afterward, 30 additional minutes for the remainder of the game.
There is a 30-second increment added per move from the start.
If the match is tied after two classical games, rapid tie-breaks follow: first with 10 minutes plus 10 seconds increment, then 5+3, and finally 3+2 blitz games, if needed.

Koneru Humpy has long been a pillar of Indian chess. At 38 years old and currently ranked world no. 5, she boasts a peak rating of 2623 and is a former World Rapid Champion. She was once the youngest woman to achieve Grandmaster status and has repeatedly demonstrated her resilience by winning tight matches, including her semi-final where she prevailed in tie-breaks against a formidable opponent.

Divya Deshmukh, only 19 and world no. 18, represents the new generation of Indian chess. She is the youngest Indian to qualify for the Candidates Tournament and comes into the final on momentum, having decisively beaten former World Champion Tan Zhongyi. With a recent gold medal from the Chess Olympiad and a reputation for tactical agility and fearless play, Divya is quickly becoming a national icon.

Both players eliminated top-seeded Chinese grandmasters in their semifinal clashes, showcasing their nerves and skill under pressure. Humpy’s command of endgame technique and match experience give her a slight edge, but Divya’s dynamic style and recent form make her a dangerous contender, especially for rapid and blitz formats.

Who will Win the Final?

Experts generally see Koneru Humpy as the favorite because of her vast experience, strategic depth, and calm under pressure, particularly in tie-break scenarios. However, the unpredictability of Divya Deshmukh’s youthful vigour and aggressive playstyle means the match could be very closely contested, with potential surprises especially if it goes to rapid or blitz tie-breaks.

Chess World Cup Final Telecast and Live Streaming: How to Watch Koneru Humpy vs Divya Deshmukh?

The Chess World Cup 2025 Final starts at 4:30 PM IST on Saturday (July 26). There is no television telecast available in India. The match can be live-streamed on the official FIDE YouTube channel from the same time in India.