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Women's World Cup 2025 Round 1 TB: Priyanka K wins thrilling tie-breaks against Gaal Zsoka

by Shahid Ahmed - 09/07/2025

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.

Position after 29.Rxe5!

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#

WIM Priyanka K set the tone for the day by starting with a victory in the first tie-break game against WGM Gaal Zsoka (HUN) | Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

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

Position after 53.g4

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.

Position after 55...Ne3+!

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.

Watch all tie-break games of Priyanka with commentary by IM Sagar Shah | Video: ChessBase India

WIM Priyanka K during her games | Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

Tie-breaks in World Cup is quite stressful | Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman
Interview with WIM Priyanka K | Video: FIDE

Priyanka K embraced by her uncle after she secured her spot in Round 2, in presence of GM Shyam Sundar M | Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

World Class Arbiter - IA R Anantharam in action | Photo: FIDE/Anna Shtourman

Round 2 pairings

IM Klaudia Kulon (POL) - WIM Priyanka K

GM R Vaishali - WGM Maili-Jade Ouellet (CAN)

Details

Watch Round 1 Tie-break live stream

Watch Round 1 Tie-break live commentary by WGM Keti Tsatsalashvili (GEO) and GM Valeriane Gaprindashvili (GEO) | Video: FIDE

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.

Links

Official site

Tournament Regulations


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