Divya Deshmukh Becomes First Indian To Reach FIDE Women’s World Cup Final
India’s 19-year-old chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh has made history by defeating former World Champion Tan Zhongyi of China to secure a place in the final of the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025. The victory also guarantees her a spot in the prestigious Candidates Tournament, which determines the challenger for the Women’s World Chess Championship.
Key Highlights From The Semifinal Triumph
- Divya won the mini-match 1.5–0.5, drawing the first game and clinching the second with white pieces in a 101-move thriller
- She employed the Alapin Sicilian Defense and capitalized on Tan’s missed opportunities to convert a pawn-plus endgame
- The win follows earlier upsets against top seeds Zhu Jiner and Harika Dronavalli, showcasing her tactical depth and composure under pressure
Career Milestones And Tournament Impact
- Divya is now the first Indian woman to reach the final of the FIDE Women’s World Cup, a feat that also earns her a Grandmaster norm
- Her performance builds on a stellar run that includes wins at the Asian Chess Championship, Tata Steel India, and a recent blitz victory over World No. 1 Hou Yifan
- India could see two players in the Candidates if Koneru Humpy wins her semifinal tie-break against Lei Tingjie
Outlook
Divya’s historic run not only elevates her status in global chess but also signals a new era for Indian women in the sport. Her final match will be closely watched as she aims to cap off a dream tournament with the ultimate prize.
Sources: Financial Express, OneIndia, MSN India, Firstpost, India Today, FIDE.
India’s 19-year-old chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh has made history by defeating former World Champion Tan Zhongyi of China to secure a place in the final of the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025. The victory also guarantees her a spot in the prestigious Candidates Tournament, which determines the challenger for the Women’s World Chess Championship.
Key Highlights From The Semifinal Triumph
- Divya won the mini-match 1.5–0.5, drawing the first game and clinching the second with white pieces in a 101-move thriller
- She employed the Alapin Sicilian Defense and capitalized on Tan’s missed opportunities to convert a pawn-plus endgame
- The win follows earlier upsets against top seeds Zhu Jiner and Harika Dronavalli, showcasing her tactical depth and composure under pressure
Career Milestones And Tournament Impact
- Divya is now the first Indian woman to reach the final of the FIDE Women’s World Cup, a feat that also earns her a Grandmaster norm
- Her performance builds on a stellar run that includes wins at the Asian Chess Championship, Tata Steel India, and a recent blitz victory over World No. 1 Hou Yifan
- India could see two players in the Candidates if Koneru Humpy wins her semifinal tie-break against Lei Tingjie
Outlook
Divya’s historic run not only elevates her status in global chess but also signals a new era for Indian women in the sport. Her final match will be closely watched as she aims to cap off a dream tournament with the ultimate prize.
Sources: Financial Express, OneIndia, MSN India, Firstpost, India Today, FIDE.
