In a watershed moment for Indian chess, 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh etched her name in history books on Monday by defeating the legendary Koneru Humpy in the final of the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup. With this stunning victory, Divya becomes the first Indian to ever win the title—a feat that signals the rise of a new star in the chess world.
The stage was set in Batumi, Georgia, where two generations of Indian chess talent faced off. After two nail-biting days of classical games ended in draws, the championship went into rapid tie-breakers. In the first game, nerves dominated as both players settled for a draw. But in the second, with the black pieces in hand and a steely calm, Divya seized her moment—delivering a decisive win that sealed the championship.
Tears welled up in Divya’s eyes as the final move hit the board. Moments later, hugging her mother tightly, she tried to put the overwhelming emotions into words.
“I need time to process it,” she said. “I think it was fate that I get the GM title this way. Before this tournament, I didn’t even have one norm. It definitely means a lot. There’s a lot more to achieve. I’m hoping this is just the start.”
With this win, Divya not only earns the prestigious Grandmaster (GM) title but also qualifies for the Candidates Tournament—where she’ll compete for a chance to challenge for the Women’s World Championship.