New Delhi: In a landmark moment for Indian chess, 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh etched her name into history by becoming the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup, defeating compatriot and legendary player Koneru Humpy in a dramatic final in Batumi. With this win, Divya not only secured a spot in the Candidates Tournament 2026 but also became a Grandmaster (GM) — the fourth Indian woman to earn this coveted title.
The all-Indian final lived up to expectations, with the two classical games over the weekend ending in hard-fought draws. While Divya showcased dominance in the first, Humpy clawed back, and the second game saw a tense equilibrium despite Deshmukh admitting she “wandered into trouble.” But it was during the rapid tie-breakers on Monday that Divya truly came into her own. After a draw in the first game, Humpy faltered under time pressure in the second, allowing Divya to capitalise and seal the match 2.5–1.5.
The Nagpur-born teenager’s win is historic not just for the title but also for the way she achieved it. Coming into the tournament, Divya had not even earned a single GM norm, which is typically required along with a 2500+ rating to attain the GM title. But under FIDE regulations, winners of elite events like the World Cup are awarded the title directly — a twist of fate that Deshmukh herself acknowledged in an emotional post-match moment.
“I think it was fate — me getting the Grandmaster title this way because I didn’t even have one norm coming in,” said an overwhelmed Deshmukh. “I was just thinking ‘when will I get my norm’, and now I’m a Grandmaster.”
She also paid tribute to her opponent, saying,
“Humpy is an incredible player, and I have huge respect for her. This wasn’t our first match-up, so it wasn’t completely new — but clinching the World Cup has been truly special.”
With this triumph, Divya becomes India’s 88th Grandmaster and joins an elite list of Indian women GMs that includes Koneru Humpy, Dronavalli Harika, and R Vaishali.
The moment was made even more special by the presence of her mother, a doctor, who stood by her side as she broke down in tears after the win. The final, which was a symbolic passing of the torch between two generations of Indian chess, drew wide attention — including from cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, who posted on X:
“An all-Indian final. A historic win. Congrats Divya Deshmukh, India’s first Women’s World Cup Champion and newest Grandmaster. Full credit to Koneru Humpy for a thrilling contest yesterday!”
Divya also reflected on her nail art, which featured a chessboard design, a playful touch that resonated with fans and reflected her youthful spirit amid the high-stakes environment.
Looking ahead, the 19-year-old’s next goal is the Candidates Tournament, where she will fight for the right to challenge World Champion Ju Wenjun of China. But for now, the young prodigy is soaking in her biggest victory yet.
“I need some time to process all of this. I was completely invested in this tournament. Hopefully, this is just the beginning,” she said.
Divya Deshmukh’s triumph comes at a time when Indian chess is soaring globally, with D Gukesh reigning as World Champion and youngsters like Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi consistently delivering world-class performances. Her win cements India’s stature not only in men’s chess but also signals a new era of dominance in the women’s game.
