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Divya Deshmukh Makes History by Winning FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup 2025.

Sports | Dated: 28 Jul 2025

Nineteen-year-old International Master (IM) Divya Deshmukh etched her name in the annals of Indian chess on 28 July 2025, becoming the first Indian woman ever to win the Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE) Women’s Chess World Cup.

🎯 Key Highlights:

  • - The victory, clinched in Batumi, Georgia, against veteran compatriot Grandmaster Koneru Humpy, earned Divya the prestigious Grandmaster title and marked a monumental milestone for Indian chess.
  • - Divya’s path to glory included decisive victories over top-seeded rivals. She stunned Grandmaster Harika Dronavalli in the quarterfinals with a clean 2‑0 win in rapid playoffs and eliminated former Women’s World Champion Tan Zhongyi of China in a gripping semifinal—securing her spot in the final with a 1.5–0.5 scoreline. These victories also earned her a coveted Grandmaster norm and qualification for the Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026.

💡 Other Important Facts:

  • (i) In the historic final match against Koneru Humpy, both classical games ended in draws. The match proceeded to the rapid tie-breakers, where Divya exhibited remarkable composure and tactical precision to win the second tie-break 1.5–0.5—finally lifting the World Cup trophy amidst tears of triumph.
  • (ii) This victory also transformed Divya’s career: she became India's 88th Grandmaster and only the fourth Indian woman to earn the GM title, joining the ranks of Koneru Humpy, Harika Dronavalli, and R Vaishali. Her performance received praise from national leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu, who celebrated her victory as a turning point in Indian women’s chess.
  • (iii) Divya Deshmukh’s triumph symbolizes the emergence of a new generation of Indian chess talent, with her win also serving as a powerful inspiration for young women across the country. Her balanced academic pursuits in sports psychology and performance science, along with her sporting success, reflect the evolving role of education and mindset in modern chess excellence.

📚 Test Your Knowledge:

Who recently became the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup?

Correct Answer: Divya Deshmukh

🚀 Quick Recap: