Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, July 28: In a defining moment for Indian chess, 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh defeated the seasoned Koneru Humpy in a nail-biting final to win the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup 2025 in Batumi, Georgia on Monday.
The teenager from Nagpur secured the title after winning the second rapid tie-break game with the black pieces. The final had entered tie-breaks after both classical games ended in draws. The first rapid game also concluded in a draw, but Divya kept her composure under pressure to clinch the second and take the match 1.5–0.5.
The win crowned her champion and awarded her both the Grandmaster title and a berth in the FIDE Candidates Tournament — two major career milestones achieved in a single, emotional evening.
Emotional victory
Visibly overwhelmed, Divya had her hand on her mouth as she made the final move. As Humpy resigned and shook hands, Divya covered her face and walked off the stage to embrace her mother. It was a poignant moment, marking the arrival of a new star in Indian chess.
Speaking minutes after the win, Divya said, “I need time to process it. I think it was fate—me getting the Grandmaster title this way because before this tournament, I didn’t even have one GM norm.”
She added, “It means a lot, but there is a lot more to achieve. This is just the start.”
Passing the torch
The all-Indian final pitted youth against experience. Koneru Humpy, aged 38, has been a stalwart of Indian women’s chess for over two decades and was widely regarded as the favourite. Her performance throughout the event was strong, but Divya’s tactical sharpness and mental resilience gave her the edge when it mattered most.
Viswanathan Anand, India’s five-time world champion, acknowledged the significance of the match, tweeting: “Congratulations to @Divyadeshmukh05 on winning the World Cup. Becoming GM and a spot in the Candidates. Amazing battle of nerves. @humpy_koneru played a very good event and showed a commendable fighting spirit. The great champion she is! It was a great celebration of Indian chess, particularly women’s chess.”
Anand was seen consoling Humpy after the match, a gesture that underlined the mutual respect and sportsmanship shared by India’s top players.
A star on the rise
Divya’s rise has been meteoric. In 2023, she won the Asian Continental Women’s Championship and stunned the chess world by winning the Tata Steel Women’s Rapid section—despite being a last-minute replacement and the lowest seed—finishing ahead of reigning world champion Ju Wenjun.
Earlier in 2024, she won the World Under-20 Girls Championship, going unbeaten with 10 out of 11 points.
Her triumph in Batumi not only consolidates her place among India’s top players but signals her entry into the world’s elite. Despite entering the tournament without a single GM norm, she emerged as the champion—and now, as a Grandmaster.
Looking ahead
With the World Cup title in hand and a seat at the Candidates Tournament secured, Divya’s focus now shifts to greater goals. Her calm under pressure, aggressive yet composed playing style, and consistent performances mark her as one of the brightest prospects in international chess.
For Indian chess fans, her win is not just a personal achievement — it is a moment of national pride, and a powerful symbol of the rise of a new generation of champions.