Archive · 24 Jul 2025
19-Year-Old Divya Deshmukh Makes Chess History, Reaches Final
Imagine a very smart 19-year-old girl named Divya who is super good at chess.
She just made it to the final of a big chess competition called the FIDE Women's World Cup!
She beat a former champion, which means she is getting closer to becoming a grandmaster, a really high title in chess.
This is a very big deal because she's the first Indian woman to ever make it this far in the competition.
She's also getting a chance to play in another important tournament.
Even though she's young, she's playing very well and everyone is excited about her future in chess.
Her coaches and other great players think she is very talented and a hard worker.
Divya Deshmukh, 19, became the first Indian player to reach the FIDE Women's World Cup final.
She defeated former women's world champion Tan Zhongyi in the semi-final.
The victory ensures Divya a spot in the FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament and a grandmaster norm.
Divya's final opponent will be determined by a tiebreak between Koneru Humpy and Lei Tingjie.
Viswanathan Anand highlighted her potential and the significant boost to her confidence.
- Who
- Divya Deshmukh, a 19-year-old chess player.
- What
- Divya Deshmukh reached the FIDE Women's World Cup final.
- When
- Recently, with the final match upcoming.
- Where
- Batumi, Georgia.
- Why
- She won against strong competitors, earning her place in the final and a grandmaster norm.
View from Divya Deshmukh
View from Viswanathan Anand
Divya's Style of Play
View from Divya Deshmukh
Divya is brave, always ready to experiment.
View from Viswanathan Anand
Divya leans towards aggressive chess, which is a general trend in women's chess.
Divya's approach to chess and her aspirations
View from Divya Deshmukh
Divya wasn't even sure if she wants to play chess full time as late as 2023.
View from Viswanathan Anand
After the first game with Tan ended in a draw, Divya was almost disappointed with herself.
- Age
- 19
- Tournament
- FIDE Women's World Cup
- Achievement
- First Indian to reach the final
- Next Step
- FIDE Women's Candidates Tournament
- Opponent Defeated
- Tan Zhongyi
- Coach's Comment
- Abhijit Kunte
- Notable Supporter
- Viswanathan Anand