When the weakest piece on the chessboard, the pawn on the f-file, broke free of its shackles and marched forward, there was little anyone could do to stop it. The right hand from across the board reached out, not for a counter, but to concede defeat.
This time, there was no rush to stop the clock as it ticked away. The opponent had already left the spot, leaving behind a teary-eyed 19-year-old girl, her hands trembling, having just experienced the finest afternoon of her young chess career.
That girl was Divya Deshmukh. She took a gulp of water, steadying herself, before letting the moment sink in. Her eyes darted around, searching for her mother, and then came the outpouring of emotion. The 25 relentless days of continuous chess, and the unyielding pressure, had finally led to something extraordinary.
Divya had just defeated Koneru Humpy, twice her age and the most dominant force in Indian women’s chess for more than two decades, in the final of the FIDE Women’s World Cup. The title brought many firsts for the girl from Nagpur. Not only has she secured a spot in the 2026 Candidates Tournament, but also becomes only the fourth female Grandmaster from India.
What made the feat even more remarkable was that Divya didn’t have a single GM norm ahead of the World Cup, nor did she meet the required rating (a standard 2500) to be eligible for the coveted title. Yet, by winning this elite event, she bypassed all the usual FIDE requirements, emerging as India’s 88th Grandmaster and the 44th female Grandmaster in the world.
Divya Deshmukh created history by becoming the first-ever Indian woman to win the FIDE Women’s World Cup final (PHOTO: FIDE/Anna Shtourman)
What she has achieved indicates Divya’s unshakable confidence in her abilities. What might have seemed like youthful exuberance at the expense of experience at first glance was, in fact, a meticulous strategy as she steered the final towards shorter time controls, avoiding losing the edge in Classical chess, where she had never defeated her senior compatriot.
Holding fort
Divya could have won the first Classical game with white pieces but fell short, failing to capitalise on both her advantage and Humpy’s mistakes. This meant Humpy would play with white in the second Classical game, a prime opportunity to settle the match decisively.
Yet, Divya staged a masterclass in defence, forcing the contest into rapid tie-breaks where she ultimately delivered the final blow.
So what makes Divya such a special talent? Or rather, how did she realise her true potential? Ask her former coach RB Ramesh, and he’ll point to two things: confidence and age.
Divya Deshmukh reacts after winning her second tiebreak game against Koneru Humpy in the FIDE Women’s World Cup at Batumi. (PHOTO: FIDE/Anna Shtourman)
“She is younger than someone like Vaishali (Rameshbabu) and Vantika (Agrawal) and, I would say, the most confident of the lot,” Ramesh told The Indian Express.
“She has been a confident girl from a very young age. She didn’t have that negative side to her, the one that tends to create self-doubt. That inner chatter that wrecks things, fortunately, was missing in her.”
According to him, Divya already possesses the strength of a Grandmaster, and is constantly evolving. Ramesh even predicts that she could become India’s strongest female player. “She can reach a 2650 rating.”
For context, Humpy’s peak classical chess rating was 2623.
Describing her playing style, Ramesh calls Divya “ultra-aggressive” on the board, drawing parallels with Russian-French legend Alexander Alekhine, arguably the most attacking player in chess history.
Could such aggression backfire? Ramesh doesn’t think so.
As risky as it sometimes could be to compare sportspersons from different sports, it is imperative to understand the mindset behind being defensive or aggressive.
“There are players who avoid risk, who prefer solid, steady play… like Rahul Dravid in cricket. Then there are those who go on the attack. Divya belongs to the latter category,” says the chess coach.
Mental fortitude
Delving deeper into Divya’s mental fortitude, GM Abhijeet Kunte observes: “I think it’s very rare. Exceptional players perform well in both favourable and adverse situations. Many crumble under pressure; others fail to convert advantages. But Divya isn’t like that. When pressured, she defends tenaciously. Yet when ahead, she avoids time trouble while maintaining her edge. She’s very clever in her approach. That kind of maturity is very rare to see at such a young age.”
Divya’s aggressive style often mirrors that of someone like fellow Indian GM Nihal Sarin, while her never-say-die attitude, the refusal to accept draws and the ability to “squeeze water from stone” will remind one of D. Gukesh’s relentless play.
Even five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand isn’t surprised by her World Cup triumph.
“She’s someone who has a lot of potential, so I wouldn’t say this is unexpected. But people were waiting for this, and it’s nice that she’s delivered,” Anand told The Indian Express.
Ramesh also believes that Divya has a genuine shot at the Ju Wenjun’s FIDE Women’s World Championship crown.
“She needs to raise her level by about 100 rating points, and then she’ll be a clear favourite. She needs to put in double the amount of work she is putting in now as she qualified for the Candidates, and at her age, that’s absolutely achievable,” he asserts.
While the thought might seem far-fetched for now, Divya may one day emulate Gukesh’s historic achievement at chess’ pinnacle. But for now, as she herself said, all that the young champion craves is some good food and well-earned rest.
The Olympiad victory, coupled with the one-two at the World Cup, have raised hopes that the final frontier — the women’s world championship title — can also be breached by an Indian woman soon. (PHOTO: FIDE/Anna Shtourman) 
Divya Deshmukh created history by becoming the first-ever Indian woman to win the FIDE Women’s World Cup final (PHOTO: FIDE/Anna Shtourman)
Divya Deshmukh reacts after winning her second tiebreak game against Koneru Humpy in the FIDE Women’s World Cup at Batumi. (PHOTO: FIDE/Anna Shtourman)
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