India’s young chess sensation Divya Deshmukh has made history by winning the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 and earning the prestigious Grandmaster (GM) title. The 19-year-old triumphed over fellow Indian and seasoned Grandmaster Koneru Humpy in the final, clinching victory after a hard-fought tiebreak.
Divya’s victory marks a historic milestone as she becomes the first Indian woman to win the Women’s World Cup. With this achievement, she also becomes part of a special group as only the fourth Indian woman to earn the respected Grandmaster title.
A Thrilling Final Showdown
The final clash between Divya and Humpy was intensely competitive. Both players drew their two classical games. The match then went into rapid tiebreaks, where Divya held her nerve and showed excellent skills under pressure. She eventually won the tiebreak by 2.5 – 1.5, securing the title.
Grandmaster Title Achieved
By clinching the World Cup title, Divya was directly awarded the Grandmaster title by the World Chess Federation (FIDE). Typically, players must achieve three GM norms and surpass a 2500 Elo rating to earn the title. However, Divya had no prior GM norms, making this achievement even more remarkable.
She becomes India’s 88th Grandmaster and joins the distinguished ranks of Indian women Grandmasters, which include Koneru Humpy, Dronavalli Harika, and R Vaishali.
Prize Money Details
- Divya received a prize of $50,000 (₹43.4 lakh approx) for winning the World Cup.
- Koneru Humpy, the runner-up, earned $35,000 (₹29.1 lakh approx).
- The overall prize money for the tournament amounted to $691,250.
Who is Divya Deshmukh?
Born on December 9, 2005, in Nagpur, Maharashtra, Divya Deshmukh took up chess early in life and swiftly made her mark in the sport. Her major achievements include:
- 2025 FIDE Women’s World Cup Champion and Grandmaster Title
- 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament Qualification
- Winner of the 2024 World U-20 Girls Championship
- Winner of the 2023 Asian Continental Women’s Championship
- She was a member of the Indian team that clinched the gold medal at the 2024 Chess Olympiad.
- She became a Woman Grandmaster (WGM) in 2021 and an International Master (IM) in 2023.
Also read: Australia Becomes 1st Team in T20 History to Achieve This Rare Feat; Check the Record
What Divya Said
After the match, an emotional Divya said: – “I need some time to let it all sink in. I think it was fate that I earned the Grandmaster title in this way. Coming into the event, I didn’t even have a single norm and was constantly wondering, ‘When will I finally get one?’ And now, suddenly, I’m a Grandmaster,” said Deshmukh after her win over India’s No. 1 GM Koneru Humpy.
What’s Next?
Divya has now qualified for the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament, which will decide who challenges the reigning Women’s World Champion. She will compete alongside Koneru Humpy and other top players.
A Proud Moment for Indian Chess
Divya Deshmukh’s victory is a proud moment not just for her but for the entire nation. She has shown that with determination, focus, and hard work, even the biggest dreams can come true. Her journey inspires a new generation of chess players, especially young girls, to aim for the very top.
Written by Kinjal Walantra
