Batumi, Georgia | July 24, 2025 — In a watershed moment for Indian chess, Divya Deshmukh, just 18 years old, has become the first Indian woman to reach the final of the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup.
Facing off against former World Champion Mariya Muzychuk in the semi-finals, Divya displayed fearless tactical aggression combined with razor-sharp positional play, defeating the Ukrainian grandmaster in a high-stakes thriller.
The Rise of a Young Champion
Divya’s World Cup journey has captured global attention, not only for her age but for the maturity and confidence she’s brought to every board. This latest victory under pressure cements her as one of the most promising young stars in the international chess arena.
“She played fearlessly, out-calculating a former World Champion under pressure — it’s a performance for the ages,” said a FIDE commentator post-match.
Final Showdown Awaits
Divya will now face the winner of the other semi-final between Koneru Humpy, India’s most decorated female chess player, and Lei Tingjie of China. The final is scheduled to take place on July 25 in Batumi.
If she wins, Divya will not only become a World Cup Champion but will also solidify her place among India’s chess greats — alongside Vishwanathan Anand, Humpy, and Harika Dronavalli.
Inspiring the Next Generation
This milestone is more than just personal glory — it’s a powerful symbol of India’s growing dominance in world chess, particularly in women’s sport.
Her rise from national prodigy to global finalist is inspiring a generation of young players, especially girls, to pursue the sport seriously.
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