The thrilling final was decided in tense tiebreaks on Monday after the two classical games ended in draws.
Photo: IANS
Rising star Divya Deshmukh has etched her name in chess history by defeating veteran compatriot Koneru Humpy to win the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup 2025, held in Batumi, Georgia. The thrilling final was decided in tense tiebreaks on Monday after the two classical games ended in draws.
Displaying remarkable composure, the 19-year-old Deshmukh seized her opportunity in the second rapid encounter while playing with the black pieces. Capitalising on a critical endgame error by the experienced 38-year-old Humpy, Divya steadily increased her advantage and converted it to clinch the title.
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By winning the prestigious tournament, Divya also secured her Grandmaster title. She is now the fourth Indian woman to reach this elite status, joining the ranks of the country’s chess legends.
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The FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup final showcased the best of Indian chess, pitting two talented players from the same country against each other on a global stage. The classical games played over the weekend had ended in tense draws, with both players showcasing resilience and elite-level play. In Saturday’s opening game, Divya, playing with the white pieces, built a commanding position but let Humpy equalise late. The second game on Sunday was more balanced, though Divya admitted she “wandered into trouble for no apparent reason” before holding on.
Saving her best for the tie-breaks, the young sensation capped off a memorable win. After the first rapid game ended in a draw, the second saw Humpy crack under time pressure, making critical blunders that Divya pounced on. With nerves of steel, Divya closed out the win to become the 2025 Women’s World Cup champion.
“It was fate,” said an emotional Divya after the final. “Before the tournament, I was thinking that I could maybe earn a Grandmaster norm here. And at the end, I became a Grandmaster.”
Divya’s victory is even more remarkable considering the odds. She came into the tie-breaks as the underdog — Humpy, a two-time World Rapid Champion and currently world No. 5 in classical chess, was widely expected to dominate in the faster format. In contrast, Divya was ranked No. 18 in classical, No. 22 in rapid, and No. 18 in blitz on the FIDE women’s list.
This win crowns a sensational rise for the Nagpur teenager, who just last year clinched the World Junior Championship title. She played a pivotal role in India’s gold medal run at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Budapest, also securing individual gold on her board.
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