Divya Deshmukh achieved the most significant triumph of her young but promising career by winning the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Cup, defeating Koneru Humpy in a tense tie-break finale on Monday. The 19-year-old from Nagpur not only claimed one of the most prestigious titles in women’s chess but also earned the Grandmaster title in the process.

Overcome with emotion after her victory, Deshmukh broke down in tears and embraced her mother following the final. “I need time to process it (win). I think it was fate, me getting the Grandmaster title this way because before this (tournament) I didn't even have one (GM) norm, and now I am the Grandmaster," she said.

 

 

 

 

 

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Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand hailed the teenager's win and called it a 'great celebration of Indian chess'. “Congratulations to @Divyadeshmukh05 on winning the World Cup. Becoming GM and earning a spot in the Candidates. Amazing battle of nerves. @humpy_koneru played a very good event and showed a commendable fighting spirit. The great champion she is! It was a great celebration of Indian chess, particularly Women’s chess,” Anand wrote on X.