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Divya Deshmukh wins Women’s World Cup, beats Humpy Koneru in dramatic tiebreak
Divya Deshmukh, a 19-year-old International Master from Nagpur, made history at the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Cup. She defeated Grandmaster Humpy Koneru 1.5–0.5 in the rapid tiebreaks to claim the title.
Divya now becomes the third-ever winner of the Women’s World Cup, following GM Alexandra Kosteniuk (2021) and GM Aleksandra Goryachkina (2023).
In the two 15+10 rapid tiebreak games, Divya showed calm nerves and precise calculation. She missed a big chance in the first game, which ended in a draw. But in the second game, she equalised as Black and capitalised when Humpy ran short on time. Divya clinched the title with style.
This win crowns Divya Deshmukh as the 2025 Women’s World Cup Champion. She is now seen as one of the brightest young stars in world chess.
After the final, an emotional Divya hugged her mother.
It’s hard for me to speak now, she said.
This means a lot, but there is much more to achieve. I hope this is just the start.
By winning the Women’s World Cup, Divya also secured the USD 50,000 first prize. Even more historic, she earns the Grandmaster (GM) title directly. Few players achieve GM this way, without the usual three norms and 2500 rating.
I still need time to process it, Divya said.
I think it was fate… because before this I didn’t even have one GM norm, and now I’m a Grandmaster.
Divya also qualifies for the 2026 Candidates Tournament. Joining her are GM Humpy Koneru and former Women’s World Champion Tan Zhongyi, who finished second and third.
A full prize-giving report with photos will follow soon.
Highlights from the dramatic tiebreaks
Game 1: Missed chance
Before the first rapid game, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich wished both players good luck. The game started at noon.
Divya opened with 1.e4. Surprisingly, Humpy chose the Petroff Defence (2…Nf6) instead of her usual Berlin. Humpy had used this line years ago, including a win over Divya in Tata Steel India Blitz 2023.
Up to move 15, the game followed a known draw between Leon Luke Mendonca and Arseniy Nesterov at the 2024 Biel Masters.
On move 20, Divya boldly played d5 to free her position. Humpy answered sharply, won a pawn, but Divya kept enough piece activity to balance the game.
Then, under time pressure, Humpy blundered with 33…Re7. Divya played 34.Rd1!, forcing tough choices. Humpy had to sacrifice her queen, entering a complex endgame.
Despite the imbalance, Humpy built a fortress. Divya missed a winning idea on move 37 and the game ended in a draw.
Former World Champion Viswanathan Anand praised both players:
“A big missed chance for Divya, but great fighting spirit.”
Game 2: Risk, nerves and victory
With the score tied, Humpy opened the second game with the Catalan. Divya replied with the sharp 4…dxc4, 5…Bb4+ variation, used by top Grandmasters.
Divya kept the extra pawn but had slightly cramped pieces. The position was still equal, but time became a problem for Humpy. While Divya had over 11 minutes, Humpy was under three.
For many moves, nothing changed. Then, with less than a minute, Humpy played 40.e4?! and quickly 41.d5?—both mistakes. Divya struck with 41…Qe5!, taking control.
Anand commented: “A self-inflicted collapse by Humpy… nerves took over.”
Even with some inaccuracies, Divya converted the advantage in a rook endgame. She sacrificed a pawn to activate her king and pushed her a-pawn to victory.
I definitely need to learn endgames, Divya laughed after the match.
I’m sure I messed up at some point!
About the Women’s World Cup
The 2025 FIDE Women’s World Cup took place in Batumi, Georgia, from July 6th to July 28th. 107 players from 46 federations competed, including 17 of the top 20 women players in the world.
The event offered a $50,000 first prize and three places in the Candidates Tournament. For daily results and pairings, visit the official Women’s World Cup website.
Photos: Anna Shtourman, FIDE_chess
Source: FIDE CHESS NEWS
