Teen Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh Stuns World Chess Elite With Record-Breaking Gold – Highlights, Quotes & What’s Next

Mumbai, 28 July 2025 — Indian chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh has created history by winning the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup 2025 in Batumi, Georgia, defeating compatriot and former world rapid champion Koneru Humpy in a dramatic rapid-play tiebreak to clinch the crown. The 19-year-old from Nagpur not only becomes the first Indian woman to lift the prestigious World Cup, she also secures the coveted Grandmaster (GM) title, becoming India’s 88th GM and only the fourth Indian woman ever to reach that milestone. After the classical portion of the final ended 1-1, Deshmukh held her nerve in the 10-minute rapid games, outplaying the vastly more experienced Humpy in the second rapid encounter to seal a 2.5-1.5 overall victory. Throughout the month-long event she displayed fearless attacking play, eliminating elite names such as former world champion Ju Wenjun and Ukrainian star Anna Muzychuk en route to the title. The triumph caps a meteoric rise for Deshmukh, who was India’s U-20 and Asian continental champion before bursting onto the senior stage last year with a bronze at the Asian Games. By lifting the World Cup she books an automatic seat in the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament, putting her one step away from a shot at the classical world championship. Speaking after her victory, an emotional Deshmukh credited her team for “unwavering support” and said the result “feels like a dream — I’ve grown up watching Humpy di’s games, and today I had to find the strength to beat my idol.” She dedicated the win to “every young girl in India who thinks chess is only for prodigies — keep believing, work hard, and opportunities will come.” The all-Indian final underscores the country’s growing dominance in women’s chess. With Koneru Humpy (world No. 3), Harika Dronavalli and R. Vaishali already in the elite, Deshmukh’s arrival injects fresh energy into India’s push for a world champion. National coach Ramesh RB hailed the result as a “watershed moment that will inspire the next generation.” Key takeaways for fans and searchers: • Divya Deshmukh wins the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup 2025 in Batumi. • Defeats Koneru Humpy in rapid tiebreaks to clinch a 2.5-1.5 victory. • Secures Grandmaster title, India’s 88th overall and 4th female GM. • Qualifies for the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament, entering the world-title cycle. With this landmark victory, Divya Deshmukh cements her status as one of the brightest young stars in international chess and signals a new era for Indian women on the 64 squares.