Historic! 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh crowned FIDE Women's World Cup champion, becomes India's 88th GM
In a landmark achievement for Indian chess, 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh won the FIDE Women's World Cup after defeating India no. 1 and reigning World Rapid champion Koneru Humpy in the rapid tiebreaks of the final held in Batumi, Georgia, on Monday.
Entering the tournament as the 15th seed, Divya's incredible run saw her overcome some of the world's strongest players, culminating in a high-pressure final against one of India's most experienced and decorated champions.
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After two drawn classical games, the match moved to the rapid tiebreaks.
The first rapid game, where Divya played White, ended in a balanced draw.
In the second game, however, Divya had the Black pieces and showed remarkable composure.
As It Happened:
FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 Final tie-break highlights
38-year-old Humpy, under intense time pressure in the endgame, faltered with a series of critical errors. Divya capitalised decisively, converting the advantage into a stunning victory to clinch the title.
With this triumph, Divya not only becomes the FIDE Women's World Cup Champion but also achieves her final Grandmaster (GM) norm.
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This victory officially earns her the prestigious Grandmaster title, making her the fourth Indian woman and the 88th Indian overall to achieve this milestone.
Poll
Do you think Divya's win will inspire more young girls to take up chess?
Yes, definitely
Possibly
No, it won't make a difference
Divya's journey is particularly inspiring, as she entered the tournament without being among the top favourites, but consistently outplayed higher-ranked opponents with fearless attacking play and deep preparation.
Her performance reflects a new generation of Indian chess talent rising to the global stage.
This victory is a defining moment in Divya's young career and a proud occasion for Indian chess.
At just 19, she has etched her name into the history books, and her World Cup win signals the arrival of a new star with the potential to dominate the chess world in the years to come.
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
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