Divya Deshmukh Becomes First Indian Woman to Win Chess World Cup 2025

Some victories make headlines, and then there are victories that make history. Divya Deshmukh, just 19, has done the latter. With quiet focus and a chessboard as her canvas, she’s become the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup 2025.

This isn’t just about a trophy or a title—it’s a story of how discipline, resilience, and clarity can lead to something truly remarkable. Born in Nagpur and introduced to chess at age five, Divya Deshmukh didn’t grow up in the spotlight. But somewhere between childhood tournaments and international podiums, she built a game strong enough to take on the world—and win.

What makes her journey even more striking is that she’s done it with calm courage, often choosing action over words. Her playing style—decisive, fearless, and deeply prepared—says more about her than any speech ever could.

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Divya Deshmukh’s chess journey began at just five years old, and by seven, she had already bagged her first national title. From there, it was a steady climb—World Youth titles in Durban and Brazil, followed by becoming a Woman Grandmaster in 2021 and an International Master in 2023. Her growth wasn’t just about rating points; it was about the consistency of belief. She didn’t arrive at the Chess World Cup 2025 as a favourite—ranked 15th—but she left as a name etched in Indian chess history.

In the final, she faced a legend—Koneru Humpy—and the tie-break wasn’t just a battle of pieces, it was a passing of the torch. With nerves of steel, Divya edged out the match 2.5–1.5 in Batumi, Georgia. With that win, she earned not just the World Cup title, but also the Grandmaster (GM) title, becoming the fourth Indian woman—and 88th Indian overall—to do so.

But her World Cup journey wasn’t a solo victory. She had to beat D. Harika in the quarters and outplayed former world champion Tan Zhongyi in the semis. That performance alone secured her a place in the prestigious Candidates Tournament, where the world’s best battle for a shot at the Women’s World Championship.

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This historic win is just the latest milestone in a journey marked by quiet yet powerful moments. She’s represented India at Olympiads, brought home team golds, clinched the Asian Women’s Championship, and even defeated world no.1 Hou Yifan at the 2025 World Rapid & Blitz Team Championships in London with a blitz performance that turned heads across the globe.

Off the board, Divya Deshmukh has also raised her voice—calling out sexism in chess and urging more visibility for women players beyond looks and labels. She’s shaping a path for not just herself, but an entire generation of girls who dream beyond the expected. Sometimes, one smart move is all it takes. And, Divya just made hers.