In a standout performance that has thrilled Indian chess fans, Vantika Agrawal defeated former women’s world champion Anna Ushenina to take a 1-0 lead in their FIDE Women’s World Cup second-round match, showcasing the rising strength of India’s young chess stars on the global stage. The tournament in Batumi, Georgia, saw further strong performances from Indian players, with Koneru Humpy, Vaishali Rameshbabu, and Divya Deshmukh securing wins in their opening games while Padmini Rout held another former champion, Alexandra Kosteniuk, to a draw.
Vantika, who holds the International Master title with a rating of 2377, played the white pieces and overcame Ushenina, rated 2413, in a match that demonstrated her calm under pressure and tactical awareness. The 21-year-old forced her opponent to resign after 36 moves, a point where Ushenina, despite being up a pawn and a knight, had no option but to give up as Vantika’s positional advantage and an imminent pawn promotion left her with no viable continuation.
Indian Women Deliver Impressive Performances
Vantika’s victory comes after her success as part of the Indian women’s team that won the team gold at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest last year, where she also secured an individual gold on board four. Speaking after the match, Vantika shared her excitement about beating a former world champion, calling it an “amazing feeling.” She also reflected on how playing in the first round, where she defeated Lala Shohradova after a draw in the first game, helped her gain confidence and rhythm for the second-round challenge.
The day brought more good news for Indian chess as Koneru Humpy, Vaishali Rameshbabu, and Divya Deshmukh all clinched victories in their opening matches. Humpy defeated Uzbekistan’s Khamdamova Afruza, Vaishali won against Canada’s Ouellet Maili-Jade, and Divya prevailed over Georgia’s Mgeladze Kesaria, underlining the depth of talent in the Indian contingent.
Tough Battles and Key Draws
Padmini Rout added to the list of notable performances by holding Alexandra Kosteniuk, who now represents Switzerland, to a draw, showcasing her composure against a seasoned player. Meanwhile, the all-Indian clash between Harika Dronavalli and Nandhidhaa PV also ended in a draw, and Priyanka K secured a draw against Poland’s Kulon Klaudia, ensuring that Indian players remain in contention across multiple matchups as the tournament progresses.
The FIDE Women’s World Cup is a critical event on the chess calendar, offering three qualification spots for the prestigious 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament, which will decide the challenger for the women’s world championship title currently held by Ju Wenjun. For Vantika, this World Cup marks her first major FIDE event since her Olympiad success, and she has shared her optimism about applying the lessons learned from competing in strong open tournaments since then, emphasising the growth in her game and confidence.
As the second games of the second round approach, all eyes will be on Vantika and her fellow Indian players to continue their momentum, with the prospect of advancing further and securing a place in the Candidates Tournament providing additional motivation. With a mix of experienced players and young talents, India’s women’s chess team is making a strong impression in Batumi, reflecting the country’s rising stature in the international chess scene.
