FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup: Divya Deshmukh creates history, becomes first Indian to win
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Batumi, Georgia – In a landmark moment for Indian chess, 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh etched her name in history on Monday by winning the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup 2025.
She defeated fellow Indian and chess legend Koneru Humpy 1.5-0.5 in a dramatic final that went into Rapid tiebreaks.
Koneru Humpy is 38 years old.
With this victory, Divya becomes the first Indian to win the Women’s Chess World Cup and also earns the prestigious Grandmaster title, making her the country’s 88th GM and the fourth female Grandmaster from India.
The final showdown saw both players locked in a dead heat after the Classical and first Rapid tiebreak games ended in draws. However, it was in the second Rapid tiebreak that Divya seized her moment. Playing with the Black pieces, she outmaneuvered Humpy in a game that lasted 75 moves, prompting a resignation from the veteran.
“I need time to process it,” said Divya after her historic win. “It is fate, me getting the GM title this way as I had only one norm. It means a lot, but there is a lot more to achieve. It is just the start.”
The emotional win not only marked a personal milestone but also a proud moment for Indian chess.
Five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand congratulated her on social media, saying, “Congratulations to @Divyadeshmukh05 on winning the World Cup. Becoming GM and a spot in the candidates. Amazing battle of nerves. @humpy_koneru played a very good event and showed a commendable fighting spirit. The great champion she is! It was a great celebration of Indian chess, particularly Women’s chess.”
Divya’s stunning performance in Batumi caps off an incredible run that saw her go toe-to-toe with one of the finest players in Indian chess history.
With both Divya and Humpy securing their places in the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament, Indian chess fans can look forward to more high-stakes encounters ahead.
