Becomes the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Women’s World Cup, defeating Indian Grandmaster Koneru Humpy in a thrilling final! After the classical games ended in hard-fought draws, Divya clinched the title in the rapid tiebreaks.
Born on 9 December 2005 in Nagpur, Maharashtra, Divya Deshmukh is a rapidly rising star in Indian chess. Under the guidance of her doctor parents and juggling academics with an intense chess schedule, she has already achieved remarkable heights in her teens.
- She helped India secure double gold at the 2024 Women’s Olympiad in Budapest, contributing both a team gold and an individual board gold with a stellar performance on Board 3 (score: 9.5/11)
- Also added an individual bronze at the 2022 Chess Olympiad to her achievements
World Cup Triumph & GM Title
Divya stunned the chess world by winning the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup in Batumi, Georgia, defeating veteran Koneru Humpy in a tense rapid tiebreak after two drawn classical games
This victory made her:
- The first Indian woman to win the Women’s World Cup,
- India’s 88th Grandmaster (GM),
- And the fourth Indian woman ever to be awarded the full GM title, bypassing the usual requirements thanks to FIDE’s champion-direct title rule
She also earned a spot in the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament, giving her a shot at the World Championship cycle.
All Indian Women Grandmasters (GM)
So far, only four Indian women have officially earned the full GM title (open category):
- Koneru Humpy
- Harika Dronavalli
- R. Vaishali
- Divya Deshmukh (joined in 2025)
Divya’s ascent is symbolic of the new wave of Indian women players:
- From team and individual glory at the Olympiad to a World Cup title by age 19, she highlights the depth and balance in India’s chess strength.
- Her FIDE World Cup win and GM title encapsulate peak performance under pressure, inspiring a generation.
- She joins fellow champions like Praggnanandhaa and Vaishali, forming a new vanguard in global chess.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 9 December 2005, Nagpur |
| Olympiad medals | Team Gold & Individual Gold (2024), Individual Bronze (2022) |
| World Cup | Winner, FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup 2025 |
| Grandmaster title | Full GM title granted post-win, becoming the fourth Indian woman GM |
| Next goal | Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026 |
Divya Deshmukh is not just another chess prodigy—her rapid ascent, consistent excellence, and landmark achievements mark her as one of India’s most exciting sports stars. As part of a growing cohort of elite women players, she exemplifies resilience, strategic acumen, and national pride. With Candidates entry secured and the chess world watching, her journey has only begun.
The 2025 final was an all-Indian showdown — a proud and defining moment for Indian chess on the world stage.
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