Diva deshmukh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi: President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and five-time World Champion V. Anand, led the nation in congratulating and hailing young chess sensation Diva Deshmukh for winning the FIDE Women's World Cup in Batumi, Georgia.

The 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh stunned the chess world by winning the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025, becoming the first Indian woman to claim the prestigious title. In the all-Indian final, Divya defeated legendary compatriot Koneru Humpy 1.5–0.5 in the rapid tie-breaks on Monday to script a fairytale ending.

The classical games played over the weekend had ended in tense draws, with both players showcasing resilience and elite-level play. In Saturday's opening game, Divya, playing with the white pieces, built a commanding position but let Humpy equalise late. The second game on Sunday was more balanced, though Divya admitted she ‘wandered into trouble for no apparent reason’ before holding on.