The PRESS Pad

At just 19, Divya Deshmukh has made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Women’s World Cup. Her triumph over Koneru Humpy in the final not only earned her global recognition but also the Grandmaster title — making her a symbol of India’s rising chess dominance.

Koneru Humpy became the first Indian to reach the FIDE Women’s World Cup semifinals after defeating China’s Yuxin Song. Alongside Harika Dronavalli and R. Vaishali, India is guaranteed a spot in the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament. The intense quarterfinals continue with tiebreaks between Harika and Divya Deshmukh scheduled for July 21.