19-Year-Old Defeats Koneru Humpy in Tie-Breaker, Becomes India’s Youngest Woman Grandmaster
🎯 Historic Chess Triumph in Batumi, Georgia
In a monumental moment for Indian chess, Divya Deshmukh, 19, clinched the prestigious FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup 2025, defeating veteran Koneru Humpy in the second rapid tie-breaker.
After both classical games ended in draws, Divya seized victory with the Black pieces in the second rapid game by capitalizing on a late mistake by her opponent in the 54th move.
👑 India’s Youngest Woman Grandmaster
- 🧠 Divya becomes India’s 88th Grandmaster and the fourth Indian woman to earn the title.
- 🎓 Notably, she achieved the title without having any prior GM norms, a rare and exceptional feat in the world of chess.
💬 An Emotional Moment
Visibly moved, Divya broke into tears of joy as she embraced her mother after the win.
“I need time to process it,” she said post-match.
“I think it was fate. I didn’t even have one GM norm before this. Now I am a Grandmaster. It’s just the beginning.”
🚀 Career Highlights of Divya Deshmukh
- 🥇 2023: Asian Continental Women’s Champion
- 🏆 Tata Steel Women’s Rapid: Defeated World Champion Ju Wenjun
- 👑 2024: Unbeaten World U-20 Girls Champion (10/11 score)
- 🏅 Multiple titles in World Youth & Junior Championships
India’s Chess Boom
Divya joins the new wave of Indian chess icons including:
- D Gukesh – FIDE World Champion
- R Praggnanandhaa
- Arjun Erigaisi
- R Vaishali – Rapid Chess finalist
This win marks India’s dominance across both men’s and women’s global chess platforms.
🔎 Quick Facts
- 🏁 Final Score: 1.5–0.5 (Rapid tie-breaks)
- 📍 Location: Batumi, Georgia
- ⚔️ Opponent: Koneru Humpy (38, reigning World Rapid Champion)
- 🎟️ Next: Divya qualifies for the FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026
🔚 Final Word
Divya Deshmukh’s victory is more than a championship—it’s a symbol of new-age Indian excellence in chess. From underdog to history-maker, she has paved the way for the next generation of talent with brilliance, courage, and humility.
