6th Cairns Cup: Divya bounces back against Kosteniuk

By admin August 13, 2026 0 comments

In a clash of FIDE Women’s World Cup winners, GM Divya Deshmukh convincingly defeated GM Alexandra Kosteniuk i

Hat-trick of losses for Kosteniuk

The 12th Women’s World Champion, GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI) had a rough start. She lost her third consecutive game at this event. It was against the current FIDE Women’s World Cup champion, GM Divya Deshmukh. The remaining four games ended in draws. It means, GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN) and IM Alice Lee (USA) are still coleaders at 2.5/3 each.

GM Divya Deshmukh defeated the twelfth Women’s World Champion – GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI) | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club

Kosteniuk – Divya: 0-1

This was the first time, the reigning FIDE World Cup champion, GM Divya Deshmukh (2490) faced the inaugural FIDE World Cup winner, GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI, 2504) in a Classical rated game. Kosteniuk was coming into this game with two consecutive losses. She got herself a worse position out of the opening.

Position after 22.Qc7

22…Nxg2 23.Qxd8 Rxd8 24.Bc7 Rc8 25.Bxb6 Rg5 26.Kf1 Nxe1 27.Rxe1 Bg2+ 28.Ke2 Re5+ and Black went on to win the game.

GM Divya Deshmukh bounced back with a victory against GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (SUI) | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club

GM Anna Muzychuk (UKR) drew against GM Zhongyi Tan (CHN) after a 70-move long battle | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club

GM Bibisara Assaubayeva (KAZ) denied IM Alice Lee (USA) a hat-trick | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club

GM R Vaishali – IM Stavroula Tsolakidou (GRE): 0.5-0.5 | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club

GM Humpy Koneru and IM Carissa Yip (USA) played a well contested draw | Photo: Lennart Ootes / Saint Louis Chess Club

Replay live stream

Replay Round 3 live commentary by IMs Nazi Paikidze (USA) and Almira Skripchenko (FRA) | Video: Saint Louis Chess Club

Replay Round 3 games

Schedule and Format

There will be one round per day from 10th to 19th August. Rest day is on 15th August. Round 1 starts at 12 p.m. local time, 10:30 p.m. IST. It will be a 10-player Round Robin event. Time control will be 40 moves in 90 minutes + 30 minutes + 30 seconds increment from move no.1.