Women's World Cup 2025 Round 2 TB: Vantika Agrawal knocks out Anna Ushenina

by Shahid Ahmed - 12/07/2025

IM Vantika Agrawal played fantastic chess to eliminate the 14th Women's World Champion, GM Anna Ushenina (UKR) in Round 2 of FIDE Women's World Cup 2025. Vantika could have finished things as early as the second 15'+10" Rapid tie-break game if she spotted her winning chance. Nevertheless, she won the first 10'+10" Rapid tie-break, lost the second. Then she bounced back by winning the first 5'+3" Blitz tie-break and drew the next to secure her place in the third round. She will face the former World Rapid and three-time World Blitz Women's champion, GM Kateryna Lagno in the next round. IM Padmini Rout was on the verge of eliminating the 12th Women's World Champion, GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI). However, Padmini got eliminated. WIM Priyanka K lost both of her 15'+10" Rapid tie-break games against IM Klaudia Kulon (POL). Thus, her debut at this event came to an end. Round 3 Game 1 starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 4:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

Padmini and Priyanka get eliminated; Meruert KOs the defending champion - Goryachkina

IM Meruert Kamalidenova (KAZ) scored the biggest upset of the event as she knocked out the defending champion, GM Aleksandra Goryachkina. It means a new champion is guaranteed to be crowned. IM Padmini Rout could have ensured an absolutely new Women's World Cup winner to be named at the end of this event if she managed to eliminate the inaugural Women's World Cup winner, GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI). This was her third major knockout event where she drew one of her Classical games in 22 moves or less in Round 2 and got eliminated. IM Vantika Agrawal undoubtedly scored a huge upset over GM Anna Ushenina (UKR). She heads into the third round battle against GM Kateryna Lagno as the favorite.

IM Vantika Agrawal defeated GM Anna Ushenina (UKR) 4.5-3.5 to advance to Round 3 | Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

Vantika - Ushenina: 4.5-3.5

The first 15'+10" Rapid tie-break ended in a draw. However, in the final moments, IM Vantika Agrawal

Vantik - Ushenina, Tie-break 1

Position after 34.h4?

34.h4? was a brave choice Qxh4-+ 35.Nxg6 now Qe1 would have given Black a decisive advantage. Instead, 35...Qg5? allowed White to get back in the game 36.Ne5 h4 37.Rf1 Qg3 38.Rf3 Qg5 39.Rf1 Qg3 40.Rf3 Qg5 and it was a draw.

IM Vantika Agrawal drew the first 15'+10" Rapid game against the 14th Women's World Champion - GM Anna Ushenina (UKR) | Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

Ushenina - Vantika, Tie-break 2

Position after 46.Rd2?

Vantika could have finished things in the second 15'+10" Rapid game. 46.Rd2? was a mistake a4 followed by b4 would have been winning for Black. Instead, 46...b4? was played. White blundered again 47.axb4?? axb4? instead a4 was still winning. Soon the game ended in a draw.

Vantika outplayed Ushenina in the first 10'+10" Rapid tie-break game.

The former Women's World Champion struck back in a must-win game, forcing Blitz tie-breaks.

In the first 5'+3" Blitz tie-break, Ushenina hung her knight early in the game. Vantika captured the free material and went on to win the game comfortably.

Vantika drew the second tie-break comfortably to win the match 4.5-3.5 and advance to Round 3.

Interview with IM Vantika Agrawal | Video: FIDE

A mother's embrace after a tough grueling match against a former Women's World Champion is bound to comfort a child | Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

Sangeeta Agrawal taking a photo of her daughter - IM Vantika Agrawal | Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

Kosteniuk - Padmini: 4.5-3.5

The first two 15'+10" Rapid tie-breaks between GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI, 2464) and IM Padmini Rout (2279) ended in solid draws.

Padmini won the first 10'+10" Rapid tie-break game.

Kosteniuk delivered the equalizer in the next game. Padmini got chances early in the game which she could not capitalize and later in the rook and few pawns endgame, she made a mistake which cost her the game.

Padmini lost the first 5'+3" Blitz and she was on the verge of losing the second one too. The 12th Women's World Champion decided to repeat moves in the second Blitz tie-break in a winning position, as it was enough for her to win the match and advance to the next round.

IM Padmini Rout was on the verge of eliminating the 12th Women's World Champion - GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI) | Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

Klaudia - Priyanka: 3-1

WIM Priyanka K (1922) lost both 15'+10" Rapid tie-break games against IM Klaudia Kulon (POL, 2240) to lose the match 3-1 and get eliminated.

WIM Priyanka K got eliminated by IM Klaudia Kulon (POL) | Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

Interview with IM Meruert Kamalidenova (KAZ) | Video: FIDE

IM Meruert Kamalidenova (KAZ) eliminated the defending champion, GM Aleksandra Goryachkina 2.5-1.5 | Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

Round 2 tie-break games in progress | Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

Round 2 Tie-break results

GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI) - IM Padmini Rout: 4.5-3.5

IM Vantika Agrawal - GM Anna Ushenina (UKR): 4.5-3.5

IM Klaudia Kulon (POL) - WIM Priyanka K : 3-1

Details

Round 3 pairings

GM Koneru Humpy - IM Klaudia Kulon (POL)

IM Vantika Agrawal - GM Kateryna Lagno

Details

Watch Round 2 Tie-break live stream

Watch Round 2 Tie-break live commentary by IM Almira Skripchenko (FRA) and GM Valeriane Gaprindashvili (GEO) | Video: FIDE

Replay all Round 2 Tie-break games

Prizes

The total prize fund is US$ 691250 which will be distributed among 107 players. The top three prizes are $50000, 35000 and 25000.

Links

Official site

Tournament Regulations

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