Divya Deshmukh Makes History as First Indian Woman to Win FIDE Women's Chess World Cup

Divya Deshmukh has etched her name in history by becoming the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Women's Chess World Cup. At just 19, she triumphed over Koneru in a nail-biting final, marking a significant milestone for Indian chess. Divya expressed her hopes that this victory will inspire more young players to take up the sport. With support from Prime Minister Modi and her family, she looks forward to future competitions, including the Grand Swiss in Uzbekistan. Her journey reflects years of dedication and hard work, and she encourages young chess enthusiasts to persevere and focus on their passion.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 1, 2025, 01:57 IST

Historic Victory for Divya Deshmukh

Nagpur (Maharashtra) [India], July 31: Divya Deshmukh, the newly crowned FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup champion, expressed her joy over her remarkable achievement, viewing it as a launchpad for future successes.

The 19-year-old chess prodigy made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win the Chess World Cup, defeating Koneru in a thrilling final that concluded with tiebreaks on Monday evening. This victory also marks her as the fourth Indian woman to earn the Grandmaster title, making her the 88th Grandmaster in India.

In an interview following her win, Divya remarked, “Years of dedication have led to this moment. I hope this victory serves as a stepping stone towards my future aspirations.”

Reflecting on the pressure of the final match, she noted, “Both Humpy and I felt the weight of expectations. However, since it was an all-Indian final, it was a win for Indian chess as a whole. I focused on my game and managed to keep my nerves in check.”

Divya shared that it took her a moment to fully comprehend her victory, recalling, “I had tears in my eyes and was immediately looking for my mother.”

On inspiring the next generation of chess players, she stated, “I feel fortunate to be a role model. I hope this win encourages more boys and girls to engage with chess.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and various leaders extended their congratulations to Divya for her outstanding achievement.

“Today marks a remarkable milestone for Indian chess! Divya Deshmukh has not only secured the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Cup but has also achieved Grandmaster status. Her success will inspire many and enhance the popularity of chess among youth,” PM Modi shared on X.

Expressing gratitude, Divya thanked PM Modi for his kind words.

When asked whom she would dedicate her victory to, she mentioned her parents, family, and her first coaches, Rahul Joshi and Ishwar Ramteke.

Looking ahead, Divya confirmed her participation in the Grand Swiss competition scheduled for September in Uzbekistan, stating, “I plan to prepare normally for that event.”

Her advice to young chess enthusiasts and their parents was clear: “Keep working hard and don’t fixate on the outcomes.”

“Motivation can wane at times, but persistence is key. To parents, I urge you to support your children, especially during challenging times,” she concluded.

The final match was intense, with a series of inaccuracies from Koneru leading to her defeat. She found herself at a disadvantage in the rook endgame, which ultimately favored Divya. After 75 moves, Koneru resigned, concluding the match with a score of 2.5-1.5.

Despite missing earlier opportunities, Divya capitalized on a critical mistake by Koneru on move 69, which shifted the momentum in her favor. This time, Divya executed her strategy flawlessly, compelling Koneru to resign after just six moves.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Divya embraced her mother, tears of joy streaming down her face as she began to fully appreciate the significance of her victory.