First Woman to Create History: Divya Deshmukh Wins FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025
First Woman to Create History: Divya Deshmukh Wins FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025
## A Historic Victory in Batumi
On 28 July 2025, 19‑year‑old Divya Deshmukh etched her name into chess history by defeating GM Koneru Humpy in the rapid tie‑break of the FIDE Women’s World Cup final in Batumi, Georgia. After two tense classical games ended in draws, Divya seized victory in the rapid decider, making her the first-ever Indian to win the Women’s World Cup.
This win also elevated her to the rank of India’s 88th Grandmaster, and only the fourth Indian woman to achieve the title, alongside luminaries like Humpy, Harika Dronavalli, and R Vaishali. She also earned her first GM norm and secured a berth in the next Women’s Candidates Tournament.
The Banana That Stole the Spotlight
Amid the intensity, one quirky constant caught everyone’s attention: a banana that sat quietly beside Divya throughout her games—especially in the final. She joked that eating the banana meant she felt relaxed, but opponents never let her take a bite. In the dramatic closing handshake, the banana sat witness to her emotional victory, as she wept tears of triumph—with the banana still untouched Her light-hearted quip after the semi-final draw embodied the moment:
“What else am I going to do with the banana? I’m going to eat it… if I start eating it, you should know that I’m pretty relaxed in my body.”
The Rise of a Prodigy
Born on 9 December 2005 in Nagpur, Maharashtra, Divya grew up in a family of medical professionals and balanced academics with chess from an early age. She earned her WGM title in 2021 and IM title in 2023. In 2024, she clinched the World Junior Girls Chess Championship, becoming only the fourth Indian woman to do so
Her stellar record includes team and individual golds at the 45th Chess Olympiad, the Asian Women’s Championship, and standout performance in Tata Steel Women’s Rapid Chess 2023, where she outplayed reigning world champion Ju Wenjun.
The Final Saga: Emotion, Strategy & Composure
Facing her role model Humpy in an all‑Indian final, Divya maintained astounding composure under pressure. Her coach compared her calm to that of cricket legend MS Dhoni. The critical moment came when Humpy misstepped late in the rapid tie‑break, allowing Divya to seize the advantage and force resignation six moves later.
Why This Story Captivates the Nation
From balancing academics and chess to claiming the biggest title in women’s chess, Divya Deshmukh’s story is one of grit, wit, and heartfelt symbolism—complete with a banana by her side. Her victory marks a watershed moment in Indian chess. As she steps into the Candidate’s Tournament and continues her academic pursuits, Divya keeps redefining what it means to be both grounded and game-changing.
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