Women's World Cup 2025 Round 1 TB: Priyanka K wins thrilling tie-breaks against Gaal Zsoka
WIM Priyanka K defeated WGM Zsoka Gaal (HUN) in the tie-breaks to secure her place in the next round of FIDE Women's World Cup 2025. Priyanka started the day with a win in the first 15'+10" Rapid game. She lost the next one after hanging her rook. The next two 10'+10" Rapid games ended in draws. Although, Priyanka could have won the second game and finished the match. She won the next two 5'+3" Blitz games to win the match by 5-3 and set up a clash against IM Klaudia Kulon (POL) in Round 2. Eight Indians will play the second round. Round 2 Game 1 starts today at 3 p.m. local time, 4:30 p.m. IST. Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman
For the second consecutive edition, a debutant Priyanka advances to Round 2
For the second consecutive edition of FIDE Women's World Cup, a debutant Priyanka has advanced to Round 2 by winning their first round tie-break. In the second edition of this event held in 2023, WGM Priyanka Nutakki defeated IM Marina Brunello (ITA) 2.5-1.5 and this time, WIM Priyanka K won against WGM Zsoka Gaal (HUN) 5-3. The tie-breaks also revealed GM R Vaishali's second round opponent in the form of WGM Maili-Jade Ouellet (CAN).
15'+10" Rapid Game 1: Priyanka - Zsoka: 1-0
WIM Priyanka K (1922) started the day with a win over WGM Zsoka Gaal (HUN, 2272). She got a pleasant position out of the opening and managed to convert it by delivering a checkmate.
29.Rxe5! is an important exchange sacrifice as the power of queen and bishop is much stronger against Black's vulnerable king. 29...Nxe5 30.Bxe5 Rae8 31.Qd6+ Kc8 32.Qc5+ Kd8 33.Qd6+ Kc8 34.Qb8+ Kd7 35.Qc7+ Ke6 36.Qd6#
Gaal bounced back in the second 15'+10" Rapid game after Priyanka hung her rook.
The next two 10'+10" Rapid games ended in draws.
Priyanka - Gaal, Tie-break 4
In time trouble, Black blundered 53...Ke5?? 54.g5+- would have been winning as Kd5 55.f4 and it's over. 54.gxh5?? gxh5 55.f4+ Kxf4 56.Kxd4 and it's a draw.
5'+3" Blitz Game 1: Zsoka - Priyanka: 0-1
Priyanka K (2000) won the first Blitz game against Zsoka Gaal (2247) in the knight endgame.
The Knight endgame in low time was quite tricky. So it was not easy to spot the winning tactic. After missing for a couple of times, Priyanka finally played 55...Ne3+! to win the game.
Priyanka won the second Blitz game also to win the match and secure her place in Round 2.
Round 2 pairings
IM Klaudia Kulon (POL) - WIM Priyanka K
GM R Vaishali - WGM Maili-Jade Ouellet (CAN)
Watch Round 1 Tie-break live stream
Replay all Round 1 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.
