Divya Deshmukh: A New Queen of Indian Chess
- On July 28, 2025, Divya Deshmukh made history by winning the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup 2025 held in Batumi, Georgia.
- She defeated Indian legend Koneru Humpy in rapid tiebreaks, becoming the youngest Indian woman to win the title.
Final Match Highlights:
- The classical games ended in draws, pushing the match into rapid tiebreaks.
- In the first rapid game, Divya drew with Humpy.
- In the second rapid game, she won with black pieces after capitalising on a critical endgame error by Humpy.
Becomes Grandmaster:
- With this win, Divya fulfilled the final requirement to become India’s fourth female Grandmaster, joining the ranks of-
- Koneru Humpy
- R. Vaishali
- Harika Dronavalli
Early Achievements:
- 2024: Crowned World Junior Champion (Girls' section).
- 2024: Played a key role in India’s Chess Olympiad gold medal win in Budapest, also winning an individual gold medal.
Underdog Triumph:
- Despite being ranked World No. 18 and facing World No. 5 Koneru Humpy (also the reigning World Rapid Champion), Divya showed extraordinary mental strength, calling her GM title and win “fate.”
Significance:
- Divya’s victory signals a generational shift in Indian women’s chess and inspires a new wave of young chess talent in the country.