Young Indian talent Divya Deshmukh advances to the semifinals of the FIDE Women's World Cup.
In a groundbreaking achievement for Indian chess, 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh from Nagpur, Maharashtra, has become the first Indian woman to reach the final of the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025. As an International Master (IM) and a rising star in the global chess scene, Divya’s journey is a testament to determination, preparation, and self-belief.
Historically, Indian women's chess has been led by pioneers like Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli. However, Divya Deshmukh represents the next wave of players aiming to exceed their predecessors. With her ambition and the dreams of millions now looking up to her, she embodies greatness that can emerge from unwavering resolve.
Divya’s semifinal appearance in the FIDE Women's World Cup has added an essential dimension to the growth of women’s chess in India. Her success at the tournament is a symbolic moment for chess lovers across India and beyond, signaling the arrival of a new generation of fearless, talented players ready to rewrite the rules of the game.
Divya began playing chess at a young age and has rapidly risen through the ranks. She became India’s 21st Woman Grandmaster (WGM) in 2021 and earned her IM title two years later. With a peak FIDE rating over 2500 as of October 2024, she places herself among the top players globally in her age group.
Divya’s achievements include multiple gold medals at major events such as the Chess Olympiad, Asian Championship, World Youth, and World Junior competitions. She won the 2023 Asian Women’s Chess Championship in Almaty. Her remarkable run in the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Cup included defeating former Women’s World Champion GM Tan Zhongyi in a dramatic match, establishing her on the international stage and securing a Grandmaster norm and qualification to the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament.
Her playing style is noted for fearlessness and determination, and her breakthrough performance has drawn parallels to the 2023 rise of Indian prodigy Praggnanandhaa in the men’s World Cup. Divya’s journey from a prodigy to a global contender at only 19 years old marks a significant milestone in Indian chess history.
Whether or not Divya wins the tournament, her performance thus far is a clear sign that the future of Indian chess is not only bright but balanced-with stars rising across both genders. Social media erupted in praise following Divya Deshmukh's victories, with hashtags praising her composure, genius, and contribution to Indian sports trending.
Divya’s journey highlights the rewards of long-term investment in chess by the Indian sports community, with better infrastructure, sponsorship, and training resources now available. The increasing popularity of chess in India is signaled by the visibility and celebration of female athletes like Divya, serving as inspiration for many girls considering careers in competitive sports.
[1] Chessbase
[2] The Hindu
[3] Indian Express
[4] NDTV
[1] Divya's impressive run in the FIDE Women's World Cup, reflecting her fearless and determined playing style, is garnering significant attention on sports-analysis platforms like Chessbase.
[2] The Indian press, represented by outlets such as The Hindu, Indian Express, and NDTV, are hailing Divya Deshmukh's achievements in women's chess as a game-changer for education-and-self-development, spotlighting her as a role model for personal-growth and determination.
[3] The success of Divya's sports-betting odds continues to rise, as more spectators are captivated by her exceptional performances, pushing the sports-betting industry to consider her a potential candidate for Grandmaster titles.
[4] With social media abuzz in admiration of Divya's composure, genius, and impact on Indian sports, there's no denying that she is a source of motivation for countless individuals seeking to engage in social media-driven education-and-self-development and personal-growth efforts in various sports and disciplines.
