At just 19 years old, Divya Deshmukh World Cup 2025 journey has become one of the most talked-about stories in the chess world. Already an International Master, she’s now one step away from winning the prestigious tournament. In her first-ever World Cup appearance, the young Indian star stunned everyone by reaching the final after a hard-fought semifinal victory over Tan Zhongyi, the third seed from China and a former world champion.
This is a proud moment for Indian chess. Divya’s dream run has been nothing short of inspiring, displaying skill, mental toughness, and maturity well beyond her age.
A Dream Run Through Tough Competition
Divya Deshmukh World Cup 2025 campaign has seen her take down some of the world’s best players. She beat second seed Zhu Jiner, top Indian player Harika Dronavalli, and now Tan Zhongyi, all of whom were favorites in their matches. Each win added to her growing reputation as a fearless and talented competitor.
After winning both individual and team gold at the FIDE Olympiad last year, Divya Deshmukh World Cup 2025 performance has taken her career to new heights. Reaching the final means she’s already secured a spot in the 2026 Candidates Tournament, where she’ll compete for a chance at the Women’s World Championship.
Seeded 15th in this tournament, Divya has now become the youngest finalist in the history of the Women’s World Cup. She broke the record set by Nurgyul Salimova, who reached the final in 2023. It’s worth noting that both Salimova and Divya are International Masters, not Grandmasters, a rare feat at this elite level.
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A Mature Performance Against Tan Zhongyi
The semifinal of Divya Deshmukh World Cup 2025 was a true test of nerves and strategy. In the first game, she held her own with the black pieces and secured a solid draw. The second game saw ups and downs, with Zhongyi slightly better in the early stages.
Around move 30, Zhongyi had an edge according to the engine. But between moves 32 and 35, three small mistakes from the Chinese star shifted the balance. Divya kept fighting, despite facing time trouble and strong opposition.
Between moves 57 and 61, both players made some errors, but Divya Deshmukh World Cup 2025 form remained strong. She emerged with a clear advantage, but a slip on move 79 allowed her opponent back into the game. With the match looking even again, many would have settled for a draw.
But that’s not the mindset of the new generation of Indian chess stars. Divya Deshmukh World Cup 2025 fightback continued, even with less time on the clock than Zhongyi. Her determination paid off when Zhongyi blundered on move 90, and Divya didn’t let the opportunity go.
India’s Rising Star Makes History
This semifinal win also marks a personal milestone for Divya’s opponent. Tan Zhongyi has now been knocked out in the semifinal stage in all three editions of the Women’s World Cup. While Zhongyi’s bad luck continues, Divya Deshmukh World Cup 2025 success has opened a new chapter for Indian women’s chess.
Even after her big win, Divya was modest. On the FIDE broadcast, she admitted she could have played better and should have finished the game more cleanly. But in the end, what matters is the result, and the result is historic.
In the final, Divya Deshmukh World Cup 2025 will meet either Lei Tingjie of China or India’s top woman player Koneru Humpy, who are currently tied in their semifinal clash.
No matter the result in the final, Divya Deshmukh World Cup 2025 will be remembered as the tournament where a young Indian star made her mark on the world stage. Her calm under pressure, fearless approach, and brilliant tactical play have made her the face of the future.
At just 19, Divya Deshmukh World Cup 2025 journey is only beginning, and the world is watching.
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