2025 FIDE Women's World Cup: Divya Deshmukh crowned champion

In an all-India final, Divya beat Koneru Humpy to become the country's fourth female Grandmaster after Humpy, R Vaishali, and Harika Dronavalli.

Divya Deshmukh beat compatriot Koneru Humpy in tie-breaker to clinch the FIDE Women's World Cup in the final held at Batumi in Georgia.

In the process, the 19-year-old became India's fourth female Grandmaster after Humpy, R Vaishali, and Harika Dronavalli.

The victory for the Nagpur player came after the two classical games played on Saturday and Sunday ended in draws.

In the time-controlled tie-breaker on Monday, Divya, playing with white, was again held to a draw.

But in the reverse game, where she had black pieces, she managed to overcome the two-time world rapid champion 2.5-1.5.

Divya is the 88th player overall to become a chess Grandmaster.

An emotional Divya couldn't hold back her tears following the victory against an opponent twice her age.

"I need time to process it (win). I think it was fate, me getting the Grandmaster title this way because before this (tournament) I didn't even have one (GM) norm, and now I am the Grandmaster," said Divya.

Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, who was keenly following the game, hailed the teenager's win and called it a "great celebration of Indian chess".

"Congratulations to @Divyadeshmukh05 on winning the World Cup. Becoming GM and a spot in the candidates. Amazing battle of nerves. @humpy_koneru played a very good event and showed a commendable fighting spirit. The great champion she is! It was a great celebration of Indian chess, particularly Women's chess," wrote Anand on 'X'.

Divya was a bundle of energy as she kept piling pressure on Humpy in the opening tiebreaker, tiring out her illustrious opponent and then going for the kill in the return tie-breaker.

For the records, 38-year-old Humpy became a Grandmaster in 2002 and Divya was born in 2005.

(With inputs from Agencies)