The FIDE Women`s World Cup 2025 is now well underway, transitioning into the crucial second round. Unlike some previous cycles, this standalone event is not held in parallel with the Open World Cup, giving it dedicated focus. The stakes are undeniably high, with a substantial total prize fund of $691,250 USD and a winner`s share of $50,000.
Beyond the financial incentives, the World Cup serves as a vital pathway to the next stage of the Women`s World Championship cycle. A coveted three spots in the FIDE Women`s Candidates Tournament, scheduled for the first half of 2026, are on the line. This qualification aspect injects considerable tension into every match.
Tournament Structure and Time Controls
The competition follows a demanding knockout format, featuring seven rounds. Each pairing consists of a two-game classical match. Should the score be level after these two games, players face a series of rapid and blitz tiebreak games to determine who advances. The time control for the main classical games is a standard 90 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by an additional 30 minutes for the remainder of the game, with a 30-second increment added after every move from the start.
The tiebreak structure, while complex in its multiple stages, ensures a decisive outcome:
- Two games at 15 minutes plus 10 seconds increment.
- If still tied, two games at 10 minutes plus 10 seconds increment.
- If still tied, two games at 5 minutes plus 3 seconds increment.
- If still tied, two games at 3 minutes plus 2 seconds increment.
- If still tied after those four blitz pairs, a single sudden-death game at 3 minutes plus 2 seconds increment is played with reversed colors from the previous game, repeated until a winner emerges. A true test of nerve and speed.
Round 2, Game 1 Highlights
The first games of Round 2 brought many higher-seeded players into the fray, leading to intense matchups. While numerous games were still in progress or reaching complex endgame stages according to live reports, several decisive results were recorded:
- Top Chinese players made their mark early, with Lei Tingjie (2557) securing a win against Carolina Francisco Guecamburu (2316), and Tan Zhongyi (2527) defeating Ana Kirtadze (2307).
- Indian talent Divya Deshmukh (2463) also started strongly with a win over Keti Mgeladze (2226).
- Veteran campaigner Valentina Gunina (2416) overcame Anahita Zahedifar (2143).
- Georgia`s Lela Javakhishvili (2432) claimed victory against Ulviyya Fataliyeva (2372).
- Perhaps one of the more notable results of the day was young Indian player Vantika Agrawal (2388) defeating the experienced Ukrainian grandmaster Anna Ushenina (2413).
- On the flip side, Aleksandra Maltsevskaya (2403) suffered a loss against Lilit Mkrtchian (2396).
Several high-profile matches concluded in draws, including those involving Antoaneta Stefanova (2399) vs Elina Danielian (2402), Anna Muzychuk (2544) vs Inna Gaponenko (2333), Alexandra Kosteniuk (2474) vs R. Padmini (2352), Alina Kashlinskaya (2462) vs Ulugay Omonova (2211), Stavroula Tsolakidou (2428) vs Mo Zhai (2379), and Irina Bulmaga (2393) vs Deimante Daulyte-Cornette (2403). These draws set the stage for critical second games where players with White pieces in Game 1 will look to leverage their color advantage.
Looking Ahead
With Game 1 of Round 2 now concluded for many pairings (or still ongoing for others), the focus immediately shifts to Game 2. Players who won will aim to secure a draw or another win to advance directly, while those who drew or lost will need to push for a victory to either win the match outright or force the always-tense tiebreaks. The battle for those three precious Candidates spots continues!
Callum Darby 
Finley Holt