Divya Deshmukh hogs spotlight at FIDE Women's World Cup in Georgia

Divya Deshmukh had, for the last couple of years, projected herself as the next big thing in Indian women’s chess. Now, it all seems to be coming together for the 19-year-old from Nagpur in the ongoing FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 at Batumi, Georgia.

After a sensational and consistent week which saw her scalping second seed Chinese Zhu Jiner in the fourth round and compatriot Harika Dronavalli in the quarters, she was again unstoppable against former world champion Tan Zonghyi to become the first-ever Indian woman to reach the final on Wednesday.

It was a coup in more ways than one, as she won her first GM norm in the process to be in line to be the fourth woman grandmaster from India and also qualify for the prestigious Candidates tournament.

The three existing Indian women GMs are Koneru Humpy — whom Divya could well be playing in the final after a couple of days' rest — Harika and R. Vaishali.  ‘’I am sorry for all the heart attacks today,’’ Divya posted on Instagram, referring to an extremely wild game against Tan which came down to a nervy rook endgame. The topsy-turvy win, however, meant Divya didn’t have to take the semifinal to the tiebreaks, and gets two days of rest before playing her first final.

Chess Olympiad: Divya Deshmukh is a new star born

“Jokes apart, thank you for all the support and love. Ready for the final fight,” Divya said on social media. Humpy’s semi-final clash, meanwhile, has moved to tiebreaks after she played out two draws with Lei Tingjie in their Classical legs.

“I need some sleep…. these days have been so anxious. I just need some sleep and some food,” Divya told the assembled media, and no one can really grudge her that.

If Humpy, the senior pro among the current lot, qualifies for the final, she will also be assured of a Candidates spot. Even if she loses, the pathbreaker of women’s chess in India will have another shot at making it into the World Championship challenger tournament.

The FIDE Women’s World Cup, with over 100 players in the field, is the most crucial event in the World Championship cycle, offering three qualifying spots for Candidates. The Women’s Grand Prix Series 2024-25 and the Grand Swiss provide two spots each while the last is reserved for the highest-placed player in the FIDE Women’s Events 2025-26 series.

The winner of the Candidates will earn the right to challenge the reigning world champion, China’s Ju Wenjun.