Chess | Historic Win! Divya Deshmukh Becomes FIDE Women’s World Cup Champion, Earns Grandmaster Title
Divya Deshmukh wins FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025, defeats Koneru Humpy in rapid final and becomes India’s 88th Grandmaster at just 19.
19-year-old Divya Deshmukh celebrates her FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 win, becoming India’s 88th Grandmaster.
In a historic event for Indian chess, 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh defeated India's top-ranked player, Koneru Humpy, in fast-paced tiebreaks to win the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 championship. The final was played in Batumi, Georgia.
Divya was seeded 15th going into the event, but her underdog run saw her upset some of the most formidable opponents in the world. She maintained her composure in the high-stakes final following the draws in two classical games. Playing Black, Divya took advantage of time-pressure mistakes made by the seasoned 38-year-old Humpy to win the fast deciding in a shocking fashion.
Divya became the 88th Indian and fourth Indian woman to win the Grandmaster title, chess's highest honour, with this incredible victory, which also earned her her final Grandmaster (GM) norm.
Divya’s fearless play, strategic depth, and composed endgame execution have marked her as a standout figure in a new wave of Indian chess talent. At just 19, she has etched her name in history, inspiring a generation of young players, especially girls, to dream big.
Her triumph signals not just personal glory but a defining moment for Indian chess on the global stage.
