Grandmaster divya deshmukh

The FIDE World Cup: Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh, the reigning FIDE Women’s World Cup champion, has been awarded a wild card for the upcoming FIDE World Cup 2025, scheduled to take place in Goa from October 31 to November 27.

The 19-year-old Nagpur-born GM was added to the field following the last-minute withdrawal of a participant, with former women’s world champions Ju Wenjun and Hou Yifan having earlier declined their invitations. The move ensures India’s brightest young talent a place in one of the most prestigious events on the global chess calendar.

Divya, who has made rapid strides in the past two years, most recently tested herself in the open section of the FIDE Grand Swiss 2025, where she secured two victories and six draws across 11 rounds. Though her final score was modest, the event highlighted her fighting spirit against elite opposition.