Nineteen‑year‑old Divya Deshmukh from Nagpur scripted history by lifting the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 title in Batumi, Georgia. Facing fellow Indian veteran Koneru Humpy, she secured victory in the tiebreaker with nerves of steel—clinching the championship and her Grandmaster title simultaneously, becoming India’s 88th GM and the country’s first-ever Women’s World Cup winner.
The chess community and national leadership poured praise on her landmark achievement. Former world champion Viswanathan Anand called the final an “amazing battle of nerves,” emphasizing her composure as Humpty’s mistakes handed victory. Former coach Srinath Narayanan likened her poise to cricket legend MS Dhoni under pressure. The legendary Polgar sisters hailed her win, noting that “Indian chess is just unbelievable.”
Even Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended warm congratulations, hailing the all‑Indian final as historic and an inspiration to the nation’s youth. President Droupadi Murmu, too, praised both finalists, recognising the talent and depth of the Indian women’s chess contingent.
India’s chess upward trajectory continues: just after Gukesh won the 2024 World Championship, Divya’s victory adds to a remarkable stretch for Indian chess. Analysts and federation figures see her triumph as a symbolic shift, demonstrating that Indian girls can compete and win at the highest levels.
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