Divya Deshmukh, a 19-year-old girl, scripted history by capturing the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Cup title, becoming the first Indian woman to do so. She defeated very experienced Koneru Humpy by 1.5–0.5 in Monday’s dramatic all-Indian final in Baku in the rapid tie-breaks, completing a fairy-tale run. The classical games at the weekend were close-fought draws as both players showed top-class preparation and nerves of steel.
In Saturday’s opening game, Divya dominated with the white pieces, settling into a commanding position before Humpy managed to fight her way back. Sunday’s encounter was more evenly matched, though Divya herself confessed she walked into trouble for no real reason before successfully rescuing a draw. It was in the tie-breaks, however, that the young star grabbed the limelight. The first rapid game had ended in a draw, the pressure was heightened in the second, and Humpy crumbled. Under severe time pressure, Humpy committed crucial mistakes that Divya pounced on with clinical ruthlessness.
Divya walked into the match as a sure underdog but Humpy, a two-time World Rapid Champion and rated world No. 5 in classical chess, was favored hands-down in the quicker variants. Divya, on the other hand, was rated No. 18 in classical, No. 22 rapid, and No. 18 blitz in the FIDE women’s rankings. Yet, against all expectation, she remained calm and stood victorious.
This victory is a meteoric ascent for the Nagpur wunderkind, who has enjoyed a year to remember. In 2024, she won the World Junior Championship and helped India win in the Chess Olympiad in Budapest, where she also won an individual gold medal on her board. With this World Cup victory, Divya not only finds her name etched in the history pages but also earns India’s 88th Grandmaster title, becoming the fourth woman from India to hold the grandmaster title.
