BY: Tarunima Singh
NEW DELHI: In a historic triumph, 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh from Nagpur clinched her biggest career title by defeating veteran Koneru Humpy to win the FIDE Women’s World Cup. With this victory, Divya also earned the prestigious Grandmaster title, becoming the fourth Indian woman and the 88th overall to achieve the feat.
The final match, held over the weekend, saw both classical games on Saturday and Sunday end in hard-fought draws. In the tie-breaks on Monday, Divya played white in the first game and was once again held to a draw. However, in the decisive second game, she delivered a stunning performance with the black pieces, outplaying the two-time world rapid champion to secure a 2.5-1.5 win.
After clinching the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 and her Grandmaster title, expressed her emotions with characteristic humility and excitement. In her post-victory interview, she said:
“This is a dream come true. I’ve always looked up to players like Humpy and Harika, so playing Humpy in the final and winning is really special. I just tried to stay calm and focused during the tiebreaks—I knew if I played my best, anything was possible. Becoming India’s 88th Grandmaster feels surreal. I hope this inspires more young girls in India to believe that they can achieve anything in chess.”
She added:
“Thank you to my family, coaches, and everyone who believed in me. This is not just my victory, but a victory for Indian chess.”
Divya’s words reflect both her gratitude and her sense of responsibility as a new ambassador for Indian chess.
This victory marks a significant milestone in Indian chess, with Divya Deshmukh emerging as a rising force on the global stage.
