Young prodigy Divya Deshmukh from India advances to the semifinals of the FIDE Women's World Cup.
In the bustling city of Nagpur, Maharashtra, a new chess prodigy is making waves. Born on December 9, 2005, into a Marathi family with doctor parents, Divya Deshmukh has embarked on a remarkable journey that has seen her rise through the competitive ranks of chess.
Divya's accomplishments are numerous. She has won the 2022 Women’s Indian Chess Championship, become India’s 21st Woman Grandmaster (WGM) in 2021, and played a crucial role in India’s gold medal victory at the 2020 FIDE Online Olympiad, securing an individual bronze medal at the 2022 Chess Olympiad.
Her most recent triumph came in July 2025, when she made history by winning the prestigious FIDE Women’s World Cup in Batumi, Georgia. This victory, earned through nail-biting tiebreaks against seasoned Grandmasters Harika Dronavalli and Koneru Humpy, made her the first Indian woman to win the event. The victory also granted her the full Grandmaster (GM) title, making her the 88th Indian GM overall and only the fourth Indian woman GM after Humpy, Vaishali Rameshbabu, and Harika Dronavalli.
This win not only secured her a spot in the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament but also positioned her among the elite players vying for the Women's World Championship. As of mid-2025, Divya was ranked #18 globally among women with a rating around 2463–2478, reflecting her rapid rise and strong competitive form.
Divya's playing style, dedication, and historic wins indicate her potential to be a leading figure in Indian and world chess in the coming years. Her success in the FIDE Women’s World Cup marks a symbolic moment for Indian chess, signalling the arrival of a new generation of talented players, both male and female.
The rise of young stars like R Praggnanandhaa, Gukesh D, Nihal Sarin, and Divya Deshmukh is contributing to a chess revolution in India, with the emergence of world-class women players as an essential dimension of this growth. Divya's achievements have added an essential dimension to the growth of Indian women's chess, which has historically been led by pioneers like Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli.
The increasing popularity of chess in India is evident in the visibility and celebration of female athletes like Divya Deshmukh. Her story serves as inspiration for many girls considering careers in competitive sports, where representation is still limited. The future of Indian chess is not only bright but balanced, with stars rising across both genders.
Divya's semifinal appearance at the FIDE Women’s World Cup has generated widespread praise and admiration on social media, highlighting the rewards of long-term investment in chess by the Indian sports community. Better infrastructure, sponsorship, and training resources are now available, and Divya Deshmukh's journey serves as a testament to the potential that lies within the Indian chess community.
[1] India Today
[2] The Hindu
[3] Chessbase
- The increasing visibility and celebration of Divya Deshmukh, a talented chess player from India, on social media, showcases the benefits of long-term investment in sports by the Indian sports community.
- Divya Deshmukh's achievements, contributing to the growth of Indian women's chess, have served as an inspiration for girls considering careers in sports, where representation is still limited, signifying a move towards a more balanced and diverse sports world.
