Teenager Divya Deshmukh Wins Women's Chess World Cup
In a historic victory for Indian sports, 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh has won the FIDE Women's Chess World Cup 2025. The Nagpur-based teenager defeated veteran compatriot Koneru Humpy in a tense tie-breaker in the final held in Batumi, Georgia. This remarkable achievement not only makes her the first Indian to win the title but also secures her the prestigious Grandmaster (GM) title, making her only the fourth Indian woman to achieve the feat. The win marks a major milestone in her promising career.
Unpacked:
Divya Deshmukh’s win makes her the first Indian ever to clinch the FIDE Women's Chess World Cup title, highlighting the growing strength of Indian women in chess and inspiring a new generation of players. Her Grandmaster title further cements India's rising status in international chess competitions.
By winning the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup, Divya not only secured the prestigious title but also fulfilled the final requirement for her Grandmaster (GM) title, becoming the fourth Indian woman to achieve this after Humpy Koneru, Harika Dronavalli, and R. Vaishali.
Starting chess at age 5, Divya won numerous youth championships, became a Woman Grandmaster in 2021, and captured major titles: Asian Women’s Champion (2023), World U-20 Champion (2024), and National Women’s Champion, consistently defeating top players and contributing to India’s team successes.
Before Divya Deshmukh, the Indian women who achieved the Grandmaster title are Humpy Koneru, Harika Dronavalli, and R. Vaishali. Each has represented India at top international events and contributed significantly to Indian chess’s global reputation.