Divya Deshmukh made history on Monday evening as she became the Women Chess World Cup Winner by defeating Koneru Humpy in a thrilling tie-break match. The 18-year-old not only lifted the World Cup trophy but also achieved a rare milestone, becoming India’s 88th Grandmaster. She is only the fourth Indian woman ever to earn this prestigious chess title.
Divya’s victory came after a tough second rapid game where both players made a few errors, but eventually, Humpy ended up with one less pawn in a rook endgame, a type of game where each player only has their king and a rook left along with some pawns. That one-pawn advantage was enough for Divya, who kept her calm and played smartly. Humpy resigned on move 75, knowing the game was lost, and with that, Divya officially became the Women Chess World Cup Winner.
As soon as the match ended, Divya was seen in tears, emotional and overwhelmed by the moment. She hugged her mother warmly, celebrating the biggest achievement of her career so far. This win officially made her the Women Chess World Cup Winner, a title she had long dreamed of.
A Big Day for Indian Chess
This was only the third edition of the prestigious tournament. In this short history, Divya now joins the likes of Alexandra Kosteniuk and Aleksandra Goryachkina, two strong players who earlier earned the title of Women Chess World Cup Winner. By reaching the final, both Divya and Humpy had already qualified for the Women’s Candidates Tournament next year, which is the next big step toward becoming the World Champion.
Speaking to the FIDE (International Chess Federation) broadcast after her win, Divya shared her feelings, saying:
“It definitely means a lot. There’s a lot more to achieve. I’m hoping this is just the start.”
Her confidence and determination were clear, even in such an emotional moment. For Divya, this victory means more than just a trophy, it’s a sign that she has the potential to become one of the top names in women’s chess. As the newly crowned Women Chess World Cup Winner, Divya has become an inspiration for many young players in India and beyond.
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A Rook Endgame Decides the Title
Interestingly, this wasn’t the first time Divya had to play a difficult rook endgame during the tournament. In the fourth round, she had also beaten Zhu Jiner in a similar way. In that match, too, she had to be patient and precise to win. Against Humpy, she made a few mistakes during the endgame and nearly let the game slip. But Humpy also made errors, the biggest one came on move 69, when she pushed a pawn too aggressively and forgot to consider the danger posed by Divya’s advancing pawn.
Divya didn’t miss her chance this time. Six moves later, Humpy resigned, giving Divya the World Cup crown.
“I definitely need to learn endgames better,” Divya joked after the win.
“I’m sure at some point in that game, I messed it up. I need time to process this.”
The final match had begun with two classical games, but both ended in uneventful draws. Neither player took big risks, and it looked like they were saving their energy for the rapid tie-breaks. In the first rapid game, Divya played with the white pieces but couldn’t create any real pressure. Humpy played solidly and forced a draw after 81 moves. But by the end of the second rapid game, there was no doubt that Divya had earned the right to be the Women Chess World Cup Winner.
The game was tight early on, with both players showing 99% accuracy around move 40. However, the pressure increased and errors began to show. It was here that Divya held her nerve and capitalized, a key quality of a true Women Chess World Cup Winner.
Grandmaster Dream Comes True
Divya’s journey to the grandmaster title is nothing short of magical. Before this tournament, she didn’t even have one grandmaster norm, a requirement to become a grandmaster. Usually, it takes players many years and multiple tournaments to achieve the three norms needed for the GM title, along with reaching a rating of 2500.
“I think it was fate that I get the grandmaster title this way,” Divya said with a smile.
“Before this tournament, I didn’t even have one norm. I was just looking for where I could get one. And now I’m a grandmaster.”
Her rise has been quick, but it hasn’t been easy. Throughout the tournament, the newly-crowned Women Chess World Cup Winner showed incredible focus, calm under pressure, and a fighting spirit that won her games even when things looked tough. Her victory is a proud moment not only for her but for Indian chess as a whole.
With this victory, Divya Deshmukh has officially become the Women Chess World Cup Winner, a Grandmaster, and a name to watch in the future of global chess. From here, her journey continues, next stop, the Candidates Tournament, and maybe even the World Championship someday.
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