India's 19-year-old chess sensation Divya Deshmukh beat senior compatriot Koneru Humpy via tie-breaks in the final to be crowned the FIDE Women's World Cup champion in Batumi, Georgia on Monday (July 28, 2025). The historic victory also paved the way for Deshmukh to become the country's fourth female Grandmaster after Humpy, Harika Dronavalli and Vaishali Rameshbabu.
The win was possible after two gruelling draws on Saturday and Sunday. Deshmukh won the second tie-break game after a blunder from the 38-year-old Humpy. You can check out the winning moment below:
In the time-controlled tie-breaker, Deshmukh, playing with white, was again held to a draw. But in the reverse game, where she had black pieces, she managed to overcome the two-time world rapid champion 2.5-1.5.
The triumph has come at a time when India is riding a wave of success in chess, with the likes of world champion D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi consistently delivering good results.
By virtue of making it to the Women's World Cup final, the teenager also sealed a berth in next year's Candidates tournament, which will decide who will take on world champion Ju Wenjun of China in the Women's World Championship.
An emotional Deshmukh couldn't hold back her tears following the victory against an opponent twice her age, who fought till the last before losing to the determined youngster. "I need time to process it (win). I think it was fate, me getting the Grandmaster title this way because before this (tournament) I didn't even have one (GM) norm, and now I am the Grandmaster," she said.
(With PTI inputs)
