Baku, Azerbaijan, July 25, 2025: Grandmaster Koneru Humpy has become the first Indian to reach the FIDE Women’s World Cup final, setting the stage for a historic all-Indian showdown against 19-year-old prodigy Divya Deshmukh. This milestone ensures the prestigious World Cup trophy will come to India for the first time since the tournament began.
Humpy secured her final berth with a dramatic 5-3 tie-break victory over China’s Lei Tingjie, overcoming a deficit in rapid tie-breaks with a commanding blitz performance. Her resilience earned praise from chess legend Viswanathan Anand, who lauded her “exemplary spirit.” Meanwhile, Deshmukh, in a sensational run, defeated top players including China’s Zhu Jiner, India’s Harika Dronavalli, and former World Champion Tan Zhongyi in the semifinals, earning her first Grandmaster norm.
Both players have also qualified for the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament, reinforcing India’s growing dominance in women’s chess.
A Generational Showdown
The final pits Humpy, a veteran and reigning World Rapid Champion, against Deshmukh, a rising star whose bold and dynamic style has captivated the chess world. Anand described Deshmukh as “a player with immense potential,” while Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised her “grit and determination,” calling her an inspiration for young players.
Divya Deshmukh: A Rising Star
Born in 2005 in Nagpur to doctors Namrata and Jitendra Deshmukh, Divya began playing chess at age 5. Her accolades include under-10 and under-12 world titles, the 2021 Woman Grandmaster title, and the 2022 Indian national championship. She also claimed Asian and U-20 world titles and contributed to India’s Olympiad gold medals in 2020, 2024, and 2025. This year, she stunned World No. 1 Hou Yifan at the World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships and defeated three top-10 women at the World Cup, showcasing tactical brilliance and composure.
India’s Chess Renaissance
This all-Indian final underscores India’s emergence as a chess powerhouse, with consistent Olympiad medals and a growing roster of female stars like Vaishali Rameshbabu and Gukesh D. Support from institutions like GM R B Ramesh’s Chess Gurukul and Anand’s academy has fueled this transformation, creating a robust pipeline of talent challenging global norms.
A Moment of National Pride
The Humpy-Deshmukh final marks a transformative moment for Indian chess, symbolizing courage, discipline, and inclusivity. Their achievements inspire young players, particularly girls, and highlight the power of opportunity and collective pride in driving national progress.