Divya Deshmukh won the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 in Batumi, Georgia, defeating India’s first woman Grandmaster, Koneru Humpy, in a tiebreak finale. The win not only gave her the prestigious title but also made her eligible to become India’s fourth woman Grandmaster.
Path to the Title and Grandmaster Norms
Before the tournament, Divya had not secured any of the three norms required for the Grandmaster title. Her success at the World Cup allowed her to achieve all the necessary norms in one go, which is an extremely rare feat. She described it as destiny and expressed hope that this is just the beginning of more achievements.
Emotional Moments and Reflections
After winning the title, Divya had an emotional moment embracing her mother. She also reflected on the need to improve her endgame and acknowledged that there’s still a long journey ahead.
The Final Match Summary
The first two classical games between Divya and Humpy ended in draws. In the first game, Divya had an advantage but missed her winning chances. The second game was more even, although Divya admitted she unnecessarily created complications. She eventually won the second tiebreak game after Humpy made a blunder.
Humpy’s Legacy and Divya’s Rise
Koneru Humpy, a two-time World Rapid Champion and once the youngest woman Grandmaster, brought vast experience to the board. Ranked No. 5 in classical chess, Humpy was the favorite, while Divya, currently ranked 18th in the world, entered the match as the underdog.
Divya’s Rapid Progress
Divya, already an International Master, has had a rapid rise in the chess world. She was the World Junior Champion last year and helped lead the Indian women’s team to gold at the Chess Olympiad in Budapest, also earning an individual gold medal.
A New Chapter for Indian Chess
With this win, Divya joins a select group of Indian women Grandmasters. Her victory symbolizes the arrival of a new generation in Indian chess and highlights the growing strength of young talent in the country.
