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FIDE Women’s World Cup Day 7: Vantika Agrawal Shocks Kateryna Lagno
Seven players took the lead in the first game of round three of the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Cup.
Day 7 of FIDE Women’s World Cup: Yesterday’s tiebreaks were thrilling and full of surprises. Most pre-tournament favourites survived, but it’s clear the new generation excels in rapid and blitz chess.
Players like Vantika Agrawal (born 2002), Meruert Kamalidenova and Song Yuxin (both 2005), Umida Omonova (2006) and especially Lu Miaoyi (2010) have sharpened their rapid and blitz skills through dedication and practice.
Even 14-year-old Elnaz Kaliakhmet, who defeated GM Nino Batsiashvili in classical games, is showing huge promise.
Tension in Batumi
Only 32 players remain from the original 107. Reaching the last sixteen means a rest day, better prize money, and a real shot at the title.
Some chose to play it safe. IM Carissa Yip, surprised by GM Vaishali Rameshbabu’s opening choice, forced a 13-move draw by repetition in the Symmetrical English.
The local Netflix crew, hoping to film Yip’s win, will have to return tomorrow!
GM Anna Muzychuk also drew quickly against IM Song Yuxin in the Greco Gambit. IM Polina Shuvalova and Lela Javakhishvili played an almost perfect game, ending in a draw just after 30 moves.
Big Wins Begin
Then the real battles started.
Indian IM Vantika Agrawal scored the upset of the day. Playing White in the 5.Na4 Grunfeld, she beat GM Kateryna Lagno. Lagno’s mistake, 21…Nxe5?, helped Vantika secure a winning position and an extra piece.
In her interview, a happy Vantika shared how she planned her moves.
IM Divya Deshmukh won against IM Teodora Injac. Injac had only three minutes left for ten moves and made mistakes, allowing Divya to grab pawns and then the game.
GM Mariya Muzychuk also won after GM Bella Khotenashvili missed the move 24.b3. Instead, after 24.Qc2?, Muzychuk captured on c4 and then won an exchange.
Muzychuk explained in her interview that Khotenashvili seemed to realise the mistake right away.
More Decisive Results
GM Zhu Jiner beat IM Alexandra Maltsevskaya with an impressive attack in the Caro-Kann.
Top seed GM Lei Tingjie defeated former Women’s World Champion GM Antoaneta Stefanova in a queen endgame. Lei’s precise moves forced a queen exchange and secured the win.
GM Nana Dzagnidze capitalised on GM Valentina Gunina’s earlier blunder and won after a long fight.
IM Yuliia Osmak also won, turning her two extra pawns against IM Lu Miaoyi into a full point.
Missed Brilliance
A fascinating moment came in the game between IM Meri Arabidze and GM Alexandra Kosteniuk. Arabidze missed a study-like winning idea and had to settle for a draw, despite having an extra rook.
Hard-Fought Draws
Several players pressed for wins but couldn’t break through:
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GM Harika Dronavalli vs IM Stavroula Tsolakidou
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IM Klaudia Kulon vs GM Humpy Koneru
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IM Irina Bulmaga vs GM Tan Zhongyi
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IM Meruert Kamalidenova vs WGM Anna Shukhman
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WFM Elnaz Kaliakhmet vs WIM Umida Omonova
Their opponents defended stubbornly and held the draw.
About the tournament
The 2025 FIDE Women’s World Cup runs from July 6th to July 28th in Batumi, Georgia. It features 107 players from 46 federations, including 17 of the world’s top 20. They’re fighting for the $50,000 first prize and three spots in the Candidates Tournament. For full pairings and daily results, visit the official Women’s World Cup website.
Photos: Anna Shtourman, FIDE_chess
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
