FIDE Women’s World Cup Day 6: Kamalidenova shocks Goryachkina, Omonova keeps surprising

The second round tiebreaks brought huge drama at the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Cup in Batumi. The biggest upset was the elimination of GM Aleksandra Goryachkina, who won the Women’s World Cup in 2023. This time, she won’t be returning to the playing hall.

IM Meruert Kamalidenova from Kazakhstan played brilliantly in the tiebreaks. In the first rapid game (15+10 time control), Goryachkina made a mistake and lost a pawn. Kamalidenova showed great endgame skills to win.

Needing a must-win in the second game, Goryachkina tried too hard and ended up in a lost position. She escaped with a draw by perpetual check, but it wasn’t enough. Thankfully for her fans, Goryachkina has already qualified for the Candidates Tournament through the Women’s Grand Prix.

Kamalidenova spoke about her qualification with Charlize van Zyl from FIDE in the media center.

Omonova continues her impressive run

WIM Umida Omonova from Uzbekistan also created waves. She defeated Polish IM Alina Kashlinskaya with a clean 2-0 score in rapid games.

In the first game, Kashlinskaya blundered a pawn early. Omonova played with 97% accuracy to secure the win. In the second game, Kashlinskaya launched a big attack, but couldn’t finish it. She eventually had to resign.

Omonova’s strength in rapid and blitz makes her a serious threat for future rounds.

Agrawal beats former world champion Ushenina

GM Anna Ushenina, former Women’s World Champion, lost a dramatic eight-game tiebreak to IM Vantika Agrawal. At one point, Ushenina had a winning position in the blitz games.

Vantika played 40.Qd1 instead of the stronger 40.Qe1. This gave Ushenina a chance to win, but she missed it under time pressure and resigned a few moves later.

Other favourites who advanced

Despite tough fights, many top players moved to the third round:

• GM Alexandra Kosteniuk, the 2021 winner, barely survived. She fought back and beat IM Padmini Rout in the blitz.

• GM Antoaneta Stefanova defeated GM Elina Danielian after a close match, winning 3.5-2.5.

• GM Mariya Muzychuk had to win three games in a row against WGM Thalia Cervantes Landeiro after losing the first.

• GM Anna Muzychuk beat IM Inna Gaponenko after drawing the first rapid and winning the second.

• GM Kateryna Lagno was tested by FM Anastasia Avramidou, finally winning 4-2.

Mariya, although exhausted, still shared her thoughts in a postgame interview.

Lagno, although exhausted, still shared her thoughts in a postgame interview.

More exciting results

China’s IM Lu Miaoyi won a tight 3.5-2.5 match against IM Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova from Uzbekistan. IM Klaudia Kulon beat WIM Priyanka K with a clean 2-0 score.

IM Song Yuxin from China also won 2-0 against IM Mai Narva from Estonia. In the first game, Song sacrificed an exchange beautifully, then took advantage of Narva’s need to avoid a draw in the second.

Finally, IM Aleksandra Maltsevskaya from Poland beat IM Lilit Mkrtchian from Armenia after drawing the first game and winning the second rapid.

About the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Cup

The tournament runs from July 6th to July 28th in Batumi, Georgia. It features 107 players from 46 federations, including 17 of the world’s current top 20. Legends, experienced stars, and rising talents are fighting for a $50,000 first prize. The top three finishers will qualify for the Candidates Tournament.

For full pairings and daily results, visit the official Women’s World Cup website.