India’s Divya Deshmukh becomes 3rd Women’s World Cup champion in chess

Divya Deshmukh poses with her trophy at the concluding gala of the FIDE Women’s World Cup in Batumi, Georgia, July 28, 2025. PHOTO: Anna Shtourman, courtesy FIDE.com

Nineteen year-old Divya Deshmukh, International Master from Nagpur, Maharashtra, became the 3^rd chess champion, defeating Grandmaster Humpy Koneru, July 28, 2025, at the Women’s World Cup, held in Batumi, Georgia.

The 2025 FIDE Women’s World Cup ran from July 6 to July 28, bringing 107 of the world’s best female chess players from 46 different federations, including 17 of the current top twenty, a press release from FIDE said.

The top 4 players at the FIDE Women’s World Cup in chess, held in Batumi, Georgia, were presented their prizes at the closing gala July 28, 2025. They included, from left: 4th Place – Lei Tingjie (China); 3rd Place – Tan Zhongyi (China); 2nd Place – Humpy Koneru (India); 1st Place – Divya Deshmukh (India). PHOTO: Anna Shtourman, Courtesy FIDE.com

From seasoned players to emerging talents, all fought for the $50,000 first prize.

FIDE noted that Deshmukh follows in the footsteps of GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (2021) and GM Aleksandra Goryachkina (2023) as the third-ever winner of this prestigious title.

“In the two 15+10 rapid tiebreak games, Divya showed both resilience and composure. After missing a golden opportunity in the first game, which ended in a draw, she brought elite-level precision to the second. There, she equalised comfortably as Black, then seized control as Humpy slipped under time pressure—clinching the crown in emphatic fashion,” FIDE reported.

“With this remarkable win, Divya Deshmukh is now not only the 2025 Women’s World Cup Champion, but also one of the most exciting young stars in the world of chess,” FIDE said.

Chess Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh hugs her mother at the Women’s World Cup in Batumi, Georgia, July 28, 2025. PHOTO: Anna Shtourman, Courtesy FIDE.com

Hugging her mother after the tournament, Deshmukh is quoted saying, “It’s hard for me to speak now. Of course, this definitely means a lot, but there is a lot more to achieve, so I am hoping that this is just the start.”

Accolades poured in from admirers praising her victory, from India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to various chess fraternities and former and current winners, male and female, in the chess world.

“It’s been a phenomenal day for Indian Chess!” PM Modi noted on X. Divya’s “accomplishment will motivate many people and contribute to chess becoming even more popular among the youth.” The Indian Parliament also praised the young woman Grandmaster for her accomplishment.

Indian Grandmaster Srinath Narayanan told ANI, “… it’s a very proud moment both for Divya as an individual and also for us as a nation.”

Upon her return to India July 30, Deshmukh was given a rousing welcome by her family and other admirers at Nagpur Airport, ANI reported.

Queried by media, Deshmukh said she was very happy to see so many people welcoming here, adding, “I want to give credit to my sister, my whole family, and my first coach, Rahul Joshi,” ANI reported.