Divya Deshmukh Triumphs in FIDE Women’s World Cup, Becomes India's 88th Grandmaster

Divya Deshmukh has made history by winning the FIDE Women’s World Cup, defeating Koneru Humpy and becoming India's 88th Grandmaster. This remarkable achievement not only highlights her talent but also serves as an inspiration for aspiring chess players across the nation. With her victory, Divya joins the ranks of elite players and showcases the growing prowess of Indian chess on the global stage. Her success, alongside Humpy's silver medal, emphasizes the potential for future champions in the sport. Discover more about this exciting event and its implications for the future of chess in India.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 29, 2025, 01:55 IST

Historic Victory for Divya Deshmukh

New Delhi, July 28: Indian Grandmaster Srinath Narayanan expressed his admiration for Divya Deshmukh's remarkable win in the FIDE Women’s World Cup. She triumphed over Koneru Humpy with a score of 2.5-1.5 during the tie-breaks held in Batumi on Monday.

Narayanan highlighted this achievement as a significant moment for both Divya and the nation. With her victory, she not only secured the World Cup title but also completed her final Grandmaster norm, officially making her the 88th Grandmaster from India.

In a conversation with a media outlet, Srinath remarked, “This is a proud moment for Divya and for our country. Winning the World Cup and achieving Grandmaster status is an extraordinary feat. Humpy also earned a silver medal, and both players have qualified as candidates, moving closer to the title of women’s world champion.”

Divya Deshmukh took home the gold medal, while Humpy Koneru secured silver, and China's Tan Zhongyi finished with bronze.

Srinath noted the impressive progress of Indian chess, referencing GM D Gukesh's victory at the 2024 FIDE World Championship in Singapore, where he became the youngest World Chess Champion, followed by Divya's success in the World Cup.

“India is excelling in chess. We have won the Olympiad in both open and women's categories, and we also clinched the open world championship. Gukesh is the world champion, and now we have a World Cup winner,” he added.

Narayanan emphasized that the accomplishments of Divya Deshmukh and Humpy Koneru serve as powerful inspirations, showcasing their roles as role models for various age groups. He pointed out that their success illustrates that winning the World Cup is attainable at any age.

“It’s particularly inspiring to see two champions from different generations—one at 19 and the other at 38—both motivating diverse age groups. This sets a strong example that winning the World Cup is possible at a young age,” he stated.

Indian Grandmaster Pravin Thipsay described Divya's victory as a historic and remarkable achievement, underscoring the importance of the World Cup and World Championship in chess.

He remarked on the significance of Divya's win, especially since she overcame Chinese competitors to reach the finals, who have been regulars in world championship candidate events.

“This is a historic and fantastic achievement. The World Cup and World Championship hold a special place in both men’s and women’s chess. Divya has defeated Chinese players who have been contenders for years,” Thipsay noted.

Both Humpy and Divya reached the finals by defeating their Chinese rivals. Divya secured her spot by beating Tan Zhongyi 1.5-0.5 in the semifinals, while Humpy triumphed over Lei Tingjie with a score of 5-3.

Grandmaster Dibyendu Barua stated that Divya is now a role model for the younger generation, believing her victory will inspire Indian women and future players.

“She is a role model for the upcoming generation. I am confident this victory will motivate and inspire Indian women and those who aspire to excel,” Dibyendu commented.

“Both players performed admirably, and they qualified for the finals by defeating their Chinese opponents. The final games were competitive; Divya had a strong position in the first game but couldn’t convert it into a win, leading to a draw. The tie-breaks ultimately determined the winner,” he added.

Humpy's mistake in capturing the f pawn shifted the momentum in Divya's favor during the final moments of the match. After both players ended the two classical games tied at 1-1, they proceeded to the tie-breaks to determine the champion.

Divya Deshmukh is now the fourth female Indian Grandmaster, following in the footsteps of Humpy, R. Vaishali, and Harika Dronavalli.

The opening game of the FIDE Women’s World Cup final saw two of India’s top talents, Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh, engage in a hard-fought draw, with the scoreboard reflecting 1/2 – 1/2. The second round also concluded in a draw.