Divya Deshmukh’s World Cup Win Ignites a New Era for Indian Women’s Chess
Divya Deshmukh’s remarkable World Cup victory in July 2025 has not only rewritten Indian chess history but may also be the spark that inspires a new era for Indian women in the sport. At just 19, the Nagpur teenager triumphed at the FIDE Women’s World Cup in Georgia by defeating veteran grandmaster Koneru Humpy in a tense tiebreak, becoming the first Indian woman to lift the title and India’s fourth female grandmaster. What makes her victory extra special is that she started the tournament as only the 15th-best-rated player and, uniquely, clinched her GM title in one shot, bypassing the conventional route of collecting three norms.
Deshmukh’s journey captures the grit and flair of India’s latest chess wave. In recent months, Indian chess has soared—first with Gukesh winning the Candidates and World Championship, and now with Deshmukh’s emergence on the global stage. Her win is a clear sign that India’s women, long in the shadow of Chinese dominance, are now challenging that supremacy. The World Cup featured a high-stakes final between two Indians—Divya and Humpy—while Chinese stars Tan Zhongyi and Lei Tingjie fought for third place. This, combined with India’s Olympiad gold last year, hints at a changing of the guard.
Deshmukh rarely takes the conventional path—she regularly competes in mixed-gender tournaments and has scored notable wins against male GMs, showcasing the confidence and talent among India’s young women. Her aggressive style and fearless attitude have become a model for young chess players across the country.
The significance of this win goes beyond individual glory. As Swayams Mishra, a top Indian GM, put it, this triumph “has the potential to inspire a lot of girls” and push more young talents to aim higher. Until now, just four of India’s 88 GMs are women—highlighting the uphill barriers girls face in chess, both at entry and elite levels. Yet, Divya’s success, alongside the longevity and continued excellence of Humpy and other Indian women stars, shows that change is in motion.
Divya’s story is one of persistence, humility, and breaking barriers. She spent countless hours travelling for special coaching, learning from early setbacks in mixed events, and maintaining her quirky, fun personality off the board. In her own words, winning the World Cup is just the beginning, and she is already setting her sights on new goals.
Divya Deshmukh’s World Cup win is not just a personal achievement but a sign that Indian women’s chess may finally be ready to end Chinese dominance and set new benchmarks of its own. For countless young girls with a chessboard and a dream, she proves that anything is possible.
