Indian teen prodigy, Divya Deshmukh, advances to the semifinals of the FIDE Women's World Cup.
In the world of Indian chess, the future is looking particularly bright, and the latest star to emerge is 18-year-old Divya Deshmukh. Hailing from Nagpur, Maharashtra, Divya has been making waves in the chess community, capturing the attention of both Indian and international audiences.
Born on December 9, 2005, Divya took her first steps into the world of chess at the tender age of five. Her journey has been nothing short of remarkable, as she has rapidly risen through the ranks, earning national and world youth titles, and becoming a Woman Grandmaster (WGM) by 2021.
Divya's latest achievement came at the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025, where her strong performance included a crucial all-Indian tiebreak match victory over Harika Dronavalli, propelling her into the semifinals. This remarkable run continued as she defeated veteran Koneru Humpy in the final, securing the championship and earning the Grandmaster title automatically due to this victory. With this win, Divya became the fourth Indian woman to achieve the Grandmaster title and the 88th Indian Grandmaster overall.
Her success in the FIDE Women's World Cup also granted Divya automatic qualification for the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament, solidifying her status as one of the world’s most promising young chess talents. As of mid-2025, her peak rating stands at around 2478, ranking her 18th globally among women.
Divya's victory adds a new dimension to the growth of Indian women's chess, following in the footsteps of rising stars like R Praggnanandhaa, Gukesh D, and Nihal Sarin. Her semifinal appearance in the FIDE Women's World Cup marks a significant moment in Indian chess history, highlighting the rewards of long-term investment in the sport by the Indian sports community.
The increasing popularity of chess in India is evident through the visibility and celebration of female athletes like Divya Deshmukh. Social media erupted in praise for Divya after her victory, with hashtags praising her composure, genius, and contribution to Indian sports trending.
However, the FIDE Women's World Cup is not over yet, and Divya will face tougher competition in the semifinals. Regardless of the outcome, her impact on Indian chess is undeniable, and she carries not only her ambition but also the dreams of millions who now look up to her.
[1] Wikipedia: Divya Deshmukh [2] Chessbase: Divya Deshmukh wins FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 [3] FIDE: Divya Deshmukh wins FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 [4] Indian Express: Divya Deshmukh defeats Harika Dronavalli to reach FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 semifinals
[1] The victory at the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 by Divya Deshmukh, the rising Indian chess star, has ignited a fervor on social media, with hashtags lauding her genius and contribution to sports.
[2] Meanwhile, the sports-analysis of her victories, such as her tense tiebreak match against Harika Dronavalli and her final triumph over Koneru Humpy, have garnered significant attention worldwide, demonstrating her potential to challenge the best in the sport.
