India’s 19‑year‑old chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh has etched her name in history by becoming the first Indian woman ever to win the FIDE Women’s World Cup. In a thrilling all‑Indian final held in Batumi, she defeated seasoned veteran Koneru Humpy in rapid tiebreaks after both classical games ended in draws .
With this landmark triumph, Divya not only claimed the World Cup title but was also awarded the Grandmaster title—becoming India’s fourth woman GM, after Humpy, Harika Dronavalli, and R. Vaishali, and the nation’s 88th Grandmaster overall .
Divya’s path to the title was notable for its consistency and quality. In the quarterfinals she stunned GM Harika Dronavalli in tiebreaks, and in the semifinals she defeated former Women’s World Champion Tan Zhongyi in classical play to become the first Indian woman to reach the final of this prestigious knockout event—and also secured a spot in the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament .
In the final, after two solid drawn classical games, the contest moved to rapid tiebreaks. The first rapid game was drawn, but Divya seized the moment in the second, demonstrating sharp tactical precision and composure under pressure to seal the victory—with Humpy resigning after a decisive sequence with Black in 75 moves .
Her coach, Srinath Narayanan, praised her maturity under pressure, likening her calm and poise to that of cricket legend MS Dhoni .
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu extended heartfelt congratulations, hailing the all‑Indian final as a “historic moment” and noting the triumph’s inspirational value for young generations .
Highlights at a glance:
Champion: Divya Deshmukh (India)
Runner‑up: Koneru Humpy (India)
Location: Batumi, Georgia
Result: Victory in rapid tiebreak after 1–1 classical split
Titles earned: FIDE Women’s World Cup champion, Grandmaster
Milestones: First Indian woman ever to win this World Cup; fourth Indian woman GM; qualifies for 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament
This moment is being celebrated as a turning point for Indian women’s chess, signaling the emergence of a new generation of talent on the global stage and marking a “golden era” in Indian chess history .
Congratulations to Divya Deshmukh on this extraordinary achievement.
