Indian Chess Stars Honored After Historic Women's World Cup Victory
Celebrating Chess Achievements in New Delhi
On August 1, in New Delhi, Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Mansukh Mandaviya, recognized the remarkable achievements of Indian chess players Divya Deshmukh and Koneru Humpy, who excelled at the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 held in Batumi, Georgia.
During the event, Mandaviya personally congratulated Divya Deshmukh, who not only became the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Women’s World Cup but also made history as the youngest to achieve this feat. Additionally, she is the 88th Grandmaster of India and the fourth Indian woman to earn this title. Koneru Humpy participated in the ceremony virtually.
Mandaviya expressed, “Grandmasters like you will inspire the younger generation. More youth will engage in sports, particularly chess, which is one of India’s ancient contributions to the world. I believe many Indian daughters will rise to prominence, inspired by your achievements.”
He further acknowledged Humpy's significant influence, recalling how he enjoyed watching her games with his children.
The FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025, which took place from July 5 to 28, featured a groundbreaking all-Indian final between 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh and veteran GM Koneru Humpy. This was the first instance of two Indian women competing in the final, marking a historic moment for Indian chess. Divya triumphed over Humpy in a tense tiebreak after both classical games ended in draws. Throughout the tournament, she also achieved her first GM norm by defeating top competitors such as Zhu Jiner, Harika Dronavalli, and Tan Zhongyi.
Divya expressed her joy, stating, “I am thrilled that the title has come to India. Although Koneru played exceptionally well, I feel fortunate to have won. The greatest joy for me was knowing that regardless of the outcome, the title would remain in India.”
She added, “Being honored by the Hon’ble Minister today motivates athletes and sends a message to youngsters that they have the nation’s support. I am grateful to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Sports Ministry for their unwavering support for chess. Continued encouragement like this will foster the growth of the game in our country.”
Koneru Humpy, who became a GM at just 15 in 2002, reflected on her journey, saying, “It was a long and challenging tournament, and I am pleased to have competed until the end. The finals showcased India’s dominance, with players from two generations facing off, and ultimately, the title came to India.”
Looking ahead, India is set to host the FIDE Men’s World Cup 2025 in Goa this October. Mandaviya conveyed optimism about the future of sports in the country.
He remarked, “India’s success in the Women’s Chess World Cup not only showcases our sporting talent but also emphasizes the sports ecosystem established by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The government is committed to providing substantial support for sports, not just on paper but through concrete actions. A comprehensive roadmap is in place, and several reforms will be introduced soon. Recently, we announced the Khelo Bharat Niti, and a National Sports Governance Bill will soon be presented in Parliament to enhance governance in sports. Following its approval and implementation, we can expect significant advancements in sports development.”