Key Highlights:
✔ Historic Win – Divya Deshmukh, 19, defeats veteran Koneru Humpy to claim the Women’s World Cup.
✔ Grandmaster Glory – Becomes India’s 4th female GM, skipping traditional norms with her victory.
✔ Strategic Brilliance – Forced rapid tie-breaks, leveraging her aggressive playstyle to outmaneuver Humpy.
Divya Deshmukh’s Triumph: A Chess Prodigy’s Rise to Glory
When the final pawn advanced, sealing the match, Koneru Humpy—India’s chess queen for over two decades—extended her hand in resignation. Across the board sat a trembling 19-year-old, Divya Deshmukh, her eyes welling up as the weight of her achievement sank in.
After 25 grueling days of relentless competition, the Nagpur teenager had done the unthinkable—she had dethroned Humpy in the FIDE Women’s World Cup final, etching her name in chess history.
A Victory Against All Odds
Divya’s win wasn’t just about skill; it was a masterclass in mental fortitude. Entering the tournament without a single GM norm or the required 2500 rating, she defied convention, earning the Grandmaster title purely through her World Cup triumph. Now, as India’s 88th GM and only the fourth woman to achieve the feat, she has also secured a spot in the 2026 Candidates Tournament—a stepping stone to the World Championship.
What made her victory even more remarkable was her ability to steer the final into rapid tie-breaks, a format where she thrived. Despite missing a winning opportunity in the first Classical game, Divya held firm in the second, forcing the decisive rapid rounds where her aggressive playstyle proved too much for Humpy.
The Making of a Champion
Former coach RB Ramesh attributes Divya’s success to two key factors: confidence and fearlessness.
“She’s the most self-assured young player I’ve seen,” Ramesh told AlwaysFirst. “Unlike many, she doesn’t succumb to self-doubt. Her ultra-aggressive style reminds me of Alexander Alekhine—she doesn’t just play to win; she plays to dominate.”
Grandmaster Abhijeet Kunte echoed the sentiment, praising her rare ability to perform under pressure. “Most players crack when the stakes are high, but Divya thrives. She defends stubbornly and attacks ruthlessly—a combination you rarely see at her age.”
What’s Next for India’s New Chess Star?
Even five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand acknowledged her potential, calling her victory “unexpected but not surprising.”
With her rating expected to soar, experts believe Divya could soon challenge for the Women’s World Championship. “If she pushes her rating to 2650, she’ll be a serious contender,” Ramesh predicts.
For now, though, the young champion has simpler desires. After weeks of intense battles, all Divya wants is “good food and a long, well-deserved rest.”
One thing is certain—this is just the beginning for India’s newest chess sensation.
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