President Murmu, PM Modi & Vishwanathan Anand Hail Divya Deshmukh’s World Cup Victory

India’s chess community and national leadership came together to celebrate an iconic moment in the country’s sporting history after 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh clinched the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 title in Batumi, Georgia.

Defeating fellow Indian and seasoned Grandmaster Koneru Humpy in a dramatic tie-break finish, Divya became the first Indian woman to win the prestigious tournament, and the fourth Indian woman to attain the Grandmaster title.

The final, an all-Indian affair, reflected the growing dominance of Indian players on the world chess stage. Both classical games ended in tense draws, with neither player yielding ground.

However, the tie-breaks saw Divya maintain composure under pressure. After drawing the first rapid game, she capitalised on Humpy’s errors in the second to claim a resounding victory with a 1.5–0.5 scoreline.

Divya’s victory not only secured the World Cup but also earned her a spot in the Candidates Tournament, which decides the challenger for the Women’s World Championship.

National Leaders Applaud

President Droupadi Murmu extended warm congratulations to Divya, praising her for making the nation proud.

She also commended Humpy’s enduring contribution to Indian chess, noting that an all-Indian final underscores the growing strength of women in Indian sport.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the event a ‘historic final’ and praised both players for their brilliance and sportsmanship. He lauded Divya’s victory as an inspiration for young Indians and commended Humpy for her remarkable journey through the tournament.

Sports Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya joined the chorus, highlighting India’s growing supremacy in world chess.

His message, ‘Bharat Rules the Chessboard!’, echoed the pride of a nation watching its young stars shine globally.

Chess icon Viswanathan Anand, who won the Men’s World Cup twice, congratulated Divya for her composed performance and her qualification for the Candidates event.

He called the final a ‘celebration of Indian women’s chess’ and praised both finalists for elevating the game.

Grandmaster Nihal Sarin and political leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, also acknowledged Divya’s success. Gandhi called it a moment where ‘a nation beams with pride’, noting the significance of two Indian women dominating a global stage.

Divya’s triumph is more than a personal milestone—it is a defining moment for Indian chess, especially women’s chess.

With her rise, and others like Dommaraju Gukesh and R Praggnanandhaa making waves internationally, India’s place as a global chess powerhouse is only strengthening.

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