Bhubaneswar : India witnessed a historic moment in world chess as Divya Deshmukh captured the 2025 FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup title, earning praise from none other than World Champion D Gukesh. The 19-year-old Grandmaster from Nagpur defeated veteran Koneru Humpy in a dramatic final to lift the prestigious crown, becoming the youngest Women’s World Cup winner in history.
D Gukesh, currently the reigning FIDE World Champion in the open category, shared heartfelt words after Divya’s triumph. “We grew up together, played in the same tournaments from when we were eight or nine years old,” Gukesh recalled in an interview .“It always feels special when someone from your generation, someone you’ve known well, achieves something great like this.”
The Women’s World Cup is one of the toughest events on the chess calendar, with gruelling knockout rounds spanning nearly a month. Gukesh, who has competed in the tournament twice himself, acknowledged the challenge, saying, “It’s a very tough tournament. You need to be consistent for a whole month. So I have a lot of respect for both Divya and Humpy.”
With this win, Divya Deshmukh not only claimed the World Cup title but also qualified for the Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026 — the next step in the path toward the Women’s World Championship. Her victory also earned her the final norm required to achieve the prestigious Grandmaster title, making her the fourth Indian woman to attain the rank.
The final between Divya and Koneru Humpy was a closely watched match-up. Humpy, a former Women’s World Rapid Champion and one of India’s chess legends, was expected to be a tough opponent. However, Divya’s poise and sharp preparation saw her clinch the title, marking a generational shift in India’s women’s chess scene.
The win adds to Divya’s already impressive record. She was the 2022 Indian Women’s Chess Champion, won a bronze medal at the 2022 Chess Olympiad in the individual board rankings, and emerged victorious in the 2023 Asian Women’s Chess Championship — solidifying her as a force to reckon with on the international stage.
Gukesh also emphasized how vital this moment is for Indian chess as a whole. “It’s important that we perform well in both the men’s and women’s sections. It’s amazing to see Divya and Humpy reach the final. I’m really happy,” he said.
The chess world now looks ahead to the FIDE World Cup 2025, which will be held in India later this year — another occasion where Indian talents, both veteran and rising, will have the spotlight. But for now, Divya Deshmukh’s triumph stands out as a proud milestone — an emblem of perseverance, talent, and the rapid rise of Indian women in global chess.
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