Indian chess star Divya Deshmukh makes history entering Fide Women's World Cup final

19-year-old defeats former World Champion Tan Zhongyi to enter summit clash

Last updated: July 24, 2025 | 00:15

Jai Rai, Assistant Editor

2 MIN READ

Divya Deshmukh shocks World No 4 and former World Champion Tan Zhongyi.

IANS

Dubai: Indian chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh etched her name in history on Wednesday by becoming the first Indian player to reach the final of the Fide Women’s World Cup 2025.

The 19-year-old delivered a career-defining performance in the semi-finals, defeating China’s former World Champion Tan Zhongyi. After holding Tan to a draw with the black pieces in the first game, Divya clinched the second game with white, sealing the match 1.5-0.5.

“This means a lot. Thank you all for the love and support,” an emotional Divya said post-match. “I don’t really know what to say right now. I’ve been anxious the last few days — I just need some sleep and food.”

Divya showcased bold strategy in the second game, deploying an aggressive Alapin Sicilian to outmaneuver her experienced opponent in a tense battle that swung both ways.

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Her run to the final has been nothing short of spectacular. She knocked out second seed Zhu Jiner of China in Round 4, and then overcame Indian veteran Harika Dronavalli in the quarter-finals.

Divya will now face the winner of the second semi-final between top-seed Lei Tingjie of China and India’s No 1 player Koneru Humpy. A final between Divya and Humpy would mark a historic all-Indian summit clash on the world stage.

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The Fide Women’s World Cup is a key event in the Women’s World Championship cycle. It awards three spots for the Candidates Tournament, which determines the challenger for the Women’s World Championship title. Other qualifying paths include the Women’s Grand Prix Series 2024–25 and the Grand Swiss, each offering two spots, with one more reserved for the top performer in Fide Women’s Events in 2025–26.

Jai RaiAssistant Editor

Jai is a seasoned journalist with more than two decades of experience across India and the UAE, specialising in sports reporting. Throughout his distinguished career, he has had the privilege of covering some of the biggest names and events in sports, including cricket, tennis, Formula 1 and golf. A former first-division cricket league captain himself, he brings not only a deep understanding of the game but also a cricketer's discipline to his work. His unique blend of athletic insight and journalistic expertise gives him a wide-ranging perspective that enriches his storytelling, making his coverage both detailed and engaging. Driven by an unrelenting passion for sports, he continues to craft compelling narratives that resonate with readers. As the day winds down for most, he begins his work, ensuring that the most captivating stories make it to the print edition in time for readers to receive them bright and early the next morning.