Divya Deshmukh Creates History: Becomes Youngest Indian to Win FIDE Women’s World Cup

In a remarkable achievement for Indian chess, 19-year-old International Master (IM) Divya Deshmukh has etched her name in history by becoming the first Indian and the youngest-ever champion of the FIDE Women’s World Cup. Hailing from Nagpur, Divya stunned the chess world by defeating Grandmaster (GM) Koneru Humpy in the second rapid tie-breaker to clinch the prestigious title in a gripping all-India final.

The tournament held in Batumi, Georgia, saw Divya enter as the 15th seed without a single GM norm to her name. Yet, she emerged as the tournament’s brightest star, displaying nerves of steel, strategic brilliance, and a champion's composure throughout her matches. This sensational victory has not only crowned her the Women’s World Cup Champion but also fast-tracked her elevation to Grandmaster status — bypassing the conventional route of securing three GM norms and a 2500 Elo rating.

 

A Dream Realized Against All Odds

Moments after her win, Divya Deshmukh embraced her mother in a heartwarming moment filled with tears, later telling FIDE, “I need time to process it.” Her words reflected the enormity of what she had just achieved — not just a personal milestone but a victory that adds another chapter to India’s soaring chess success story.

The final, spread across classical and rapid games, was a closely contested duel between two generations. Koneru Humpy, 37, the first Indian woman to achieve the GM title, brought experience and resilience. But it was the teenager’s fearless and composed play that prevailed when the match went into rapid tie-breakers after two drawn classical games.

In the crucial second rapid game, Humpy, playing with white, faltered under time pressure. As former world champion Viswanathan Anand, who was part of the live broadcast, noted, it was a “self-inflicted collapse.” Divya seized the opportunity with precision, holding her nerve until the final moments.
 

From Chess Prodigy to Global Champion

Divya Deshmukh’s journey has been nothing short of inspirational. Born to a family of doctors in Nagpur, she began playing chess before the age of six. Her talent quickly became apparent as she dominated age-group competitions and made a name for herself on the junior circuit.

She was coached by some of India’s most respected chess mentors, including GM RB Ramesh and GM Srinath Narayanan. Ramesh, who trained a young Divya, recalled, “She projected a very confident image of herself. She was extremely talented and already successful at a young age.” Srinath, who guided her during the 2018 World Youth Under-16 Olympiad, praised her “big-match temperament,” something that was once again on display in Batumi.

Divya’s run to the title was a masterclass in tournament play. She defeated three Grandmasters — Zhu Jiner (China), Harika Dronavalli (India), and Lei Tingjie (China) — en route to the final. Each of those victories showcased her ability to handle pressure, analyze swiftly, and finish strong.

A Landmark Moment for Indian Women’s Chess

Divya’s win marks a watershed moment for Indian women’s chess. While legends like Humpy, Harika, and Vaishali Rameshbabu have carried the mantle for years, the arrival of a young champion like Divya signals the dawn of a new era. With her win, she becomes India’s 88th Grandmaster and only the fourth woman to achieve this title.

Her performance is particularly inspiring for young girls across the country who are pursuing chess professionally. “This will come as a huge inspiration for other young girls,” said RB Ramesh, adding that the country now has another female icon to look up to in international chess.

Divya’s victory also aligns with a golden year for Indian chess. In the past year alone, D Gukesh became world champion at 18, India’s men and women’s teams won the Chess Olympiad, Humpy reclaimed the rapid world title at 37, and now Divya has claimed the Women’s World Cup.
 

Eyes Set on the Women’s World Championship

With this win, Divya secures a spot in the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament, where the winner will challenge China’s reigning world champion Ju Wenjun for the title. Having bypassed the typical GM qualification route by winning a major FIDE event, she now finds herself among the world’s elite.

Reflecting on her rapid rise, Divya told FIDE, “I think it is fate – me getting the GM title this way… Before this tournament, I was thinking, ‘Oh, where can I get my norm?’ And now, I’m a Grandmaster.”

Her coaches agree that this is only the beginning. “She should now compete in more open tournaments and aim for the women’s world champion title,” said Ramesh. With her confidence sky-high and global recognition now firmly in place, Divya is expected to become a regular contender on the international stage.

 

Conclusion: The Rise of a New Star
 

Divya Deshmukh’s victory is more than just a sporting milestone; it is a statement. It highlights the strength of India’s chess ecosystem and the growing prominence of women in a traditionally male-dominated sport. It also underscores how talent, when nurtured with discipline and the right guidance, can achieve greatness.

As Divya rightly put it, this may just be the start. But what a start it is — a start that will inspire countless young players, especially girls, to believe in their dreams, take bold moves, and, like Divya, become champions of the world.