Key Points:
- Divya Deshmukh wins 2025 FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup, defeating top seed and compatriot Koneru Humpy 2.5-1.5 in the all-India final.
- At just 18 (age as of 2025), Divya is now the youngest Indian to win the Women’s World Cup and the first Indian woman to earn the title of absolute world champion.
- With this feat, Divya also secures her final Grandmaster norm, becoming India’s 88th Grandmaster a rare double achievement.
- Final went to rapid tiebreaks after both classical games were drawn; Divya drew first rapid, then won the second.
- Match highlights included Divya’s resilient defense with black and capitalizing on material advantage to clinch victory.
- India now boasts multiple female chess champions, cementing its rise in women’s chess globally.
New Delhi: In a breakthrough for Indian chess, 18-year-old Divya Deshmukh etched her name in history by winning the 2025 FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup and, in the process, achieving the Grandmaster (GM) title. Divya defeated legendary compatriot Koneru Humpy 2.5-1.5 in a dramatic all-Indian final, securing both international glory and a coveted GM norm in one fell swoop.
Dramatic All-India Final Goes to Tiebreaks
The intense final saw both classical games (Saturday and Sunday) end in draws, forcing the championship to be decided on Monday via rapid tiebreakers. The tie-break consisted of two rapid games (15 minutes each, plus 10 seconds increment per move).
- First rapid game: Divya, playing white, held Humpy to a solid draw.
- Second rapid game: She switched to black pieces and unleashed a strategic masterclass, managing to outwit and eventually defeat Humpy, a two-time world rapid chess champion.
Divya’s composure was flawless particularly as the second classical game ended after 34 tight moves, and she then delivered under extreme pressure in rapid.
Match Highlights
- Astute Defense: During the classic rounds, Divya responded perfectly to every challenge set by the higher-ranked Humpy. Despite a pawn loss, she capitalized when Humpy over-pressed, managing to neutralize both of Humpy’s bishops after a brilliant sequence.
- Tactical Edge: In the tiebreaker, Divya converted a slight advantage into victory securing her status as India’s youngest World Cup winner and Grandmaster.
What This Means for Indian Chess
Not only is Divya Deshmukh the first Indian woman to win the Women’s Chess World Cup, but she also becomes the country’s 88th Grandmaster a remarkable intersection of sporting and personal milestones. Her triumph signals a changing of the guard and an exciting new chapter for Indian women’s chess, already on the rise with stars like Humpy and Harika Dronavalli.
“A New Era for Women’s Chess in India”
Chess experts have called this “a defining moment for India’s sporting talent,” as the nation’s investment in youth chess continues to bear fruit on the world stage. Divya’s victory is expected to inspire thousands of young players across the country.
What’s Next?
Divya Deshmukh will now be closely watched on the world circuit, potentially as a contender in the next Women’s Candidates tournaments and the main Chess World Championship cycle.
