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The opening classical games of the FIDE Women’s World Cup semifinals witnessed a display of strategic defense by Indian players against aggressive Chinese counterparts. World junior champion Divya Deshmukh and India No. 1 Koneru Humpy successfully held higher-ranked Chinese Grandmasters in Batumi, Georgia, on Tuesday, showcasing the effectiveness of their preparation. Divya Deshmukh, playing with black pieces, secured a draw against former women’s world champion Tan Zhongyi after 30 moves. Simultaneously, Koneru Humpy, also with black, held top seed Lei Tingjie to a 38-move draw in an engaging contest. The results position both Indian players favorably as they prepare to play with white pieces in the second classical games, providing an opportunity to capitalize on their openings and exert pressure on their Chinese opponents. This achievement marks a significant milestone for Indian chess, with both Humpy and Deshmukh being first-time semifinalists in the knockout format of the World Cup.
Divya Deshmukh's game against Tan Zhongyi commenced with a Queen’s Pawn opening by Tan, which Divya mirrored, leading to a Queen’s Gambit Declined. This resulted in a balanced position where both players exchanged minor pieces by the 11th move. A notable moment occurred on Divya's 12th turn when she advanced her queen for a check and subsequently won Tan's bishop. Divya's 13th move effectively neutralized any advantage Tan might have gained from the opening. By the 17th turn, both players exchanged queens, establishing an equal game with both rooks and Divya’s knight facing Tan’s bishop. The players then sacrificed rooks on the 24th move, with Divya thwarting Tan's attempts to set a trap. Divya then maneuvered her remaining rook into an attacking position, compelling Tan to adopt a defensive posture. After an exchange of pawns, the players agreed to a draw on the 30th move, highlighting Divya's impressive preparation with black pieces. This game underscored Divya's ability to maintain composure and strategically neutralize her opponent's advances, resulting in a well-earned draw against a seasoned player.
In the second semifinal, the contest between Koneru Humpy and Lei Tingjie unfolded with intensity. Employing the Ruy Lopez Opening of Berlin and the less common Mortimer Variation, Humpy executed a plan while managing her time effectively, which eventually forced Tingjie onto the defensive. A seemingly dubious move by Humpy on the 17th turn led to a blunder by a visibly confused Tingjie with her bishop on the 18th move. When Humpy advanced a pawn, Tingjie responded with another questionable knight move on the 21st turn, positioning it in a less advantageous square instead of initiating an attack. With Humpy's bishop and queen poised for an attack, the experienced Indian GM made a notable move on the 29th turn, further pressuring Tingjie, who was already facing time constraints. This gave Humpy a four-minute advantage in time. An exchange of queens on the 36th turn led to a balanced position with both players possessing opposite-colored bishops, ultimately culminating in a draw on the 38th move. Humpy's strategic time management and ability to capitalize on Tingjie's errors proved crucial in securing the draw.
The draws achieved by Divya Deshmukh and Koneru Humpy against their higher-ranked Chinese counterparts represent a significant achievement for Indian chess on the international stage. These results not only showcase the depth of talent within Indian chess but also highlight the effectiveness of their preparation and strategic acumen. As they transition to playing with white pieces in the second classical games, both players have an opportunity to seize the initiative and exert pressure on their opponents. The outcome of these games will be pivotal in determining who advances to the final of the FIDE Women’s World Cup. The Indian chess community will be eagerly watching, hopeful that Deshmukh and Humpy can continue their strong performance and make history by reaching the final.
The strategic nuances of each game provide valuable insights into the complexities of high-level chess. Divya Deshmukh’s ability to neutralize Tan Zhongyi's opening advantage and maintain a balanced position throughout the game demonstrates her solid understanding of chess principles. Her calculated sacrifices and precise rook maneuvers forced Tan into a defensive position, ultimately leading to a well-deserved draw. Koneru Humpy’s strategic time management and her opponent's dubious moves contributed to her success in drawing against Lei Tingjie. The psychological aspect of chess also played a crucial role, as Tingjie's visible confusion and time pressure influenced her decision-making. These elements collectively contributed to the outcome of the games and underscore the intellectual demands of competitive chess. The upcoming games promise to be equally compelling, as both players aim to secure a victory and advance to the final.
Source: Divya Deshmukh, Koneru Humpy hold higher-ranked Chinese GMs in semifinal Game 1