Divya Deshmukh defeats Koneru Humpy to clinch Women’s Chess World Cup 2025 title

With the title, Divya Deshmukh also joins elite list as India’s fourth Woman Grandmaster.

Divya Deshmukh created history by winning the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup 2025, becoming the first Indian woman to win the title. In a thrilling all-Indian final against Koneru Humpy, the two classical games were drawn, and Divya clinched victory in the rapid tiebreaks.

In Game 1 of the final, Divya had the white pieces and got a slightly better position early on, but Humpy defended well and held a draw. Game 2 was more balanced, with Humpy pressing slightly, but Divya stayed solid, and the game ended peacefully. With the classical games tied 1-1, the match moved into rapid tiebreaks to decide the champion.

The first game of the rapid tiebreaks was a draw, with Divya playing White. In the second game, with Black pieces, Divya took control. She played confidently, showed excellent speed and composure under pressure, and defeated Humpy to seal the match.

This win not only gave her the Women’s World Cup title but also marked a major moment in the rise of Indian women’s chess.

Fourth Indian woman Grandmaster

With this win, Divya has secured the Grandmaster title. Since FIDE awards a direct GM title to the Women’s World Cup winner, and she had already crossed the 2500 rating mark earlier. She is now the fourth Indian woman to earn the GM title, after Koneru Humpy, Dronavalli Harika, and R Vaishali.

At just 19 years old, Divya also qualifies for the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament, where the winner will challenge for the Women’s World Championship title.

Also Read: A look at chess female grandmasters from India

Her journey to the title

Divya’s tournament run was impressive. She defeated WGM Teodora Injac, WGM Jovana Erić, and WGM Mgeladze in the early rounds. In the quarter-finals, she beat GM Harika Dronavalli in rapid tiebreaks. In the semi-finals, she caused a major upset by defeating former world champion Tan Zhongyi in classical games.

Facing Humpy in the final was special. It was a battle between India’s most experienced player and one of its youngest stars.

In the end, Divya’s calm nerves and sharp tactics helped her pull off the biggest win of her career. This victory is not just about one title; it shows the growing strength of Indian chess and the arrival of a fearless new generation ready to lead on the global stage.

Also Read: Full list of chess Grandmasters from India

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