Divya Deshmukh triumphed in a thrilling all-Indian final at the FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup 2025, overcoming fellow countrywoman Koneru Humpy after a gripping tiebreak showdown that followed two intense matches.

The final commenced with a cautious and evenly matched game 1 between Grandmaster Humpy and the emerging talent Divya, which concluded in a 41-move draw. In the second game of the championship, Divya again held her ground, managing to secure an easy draw (in 34 moves) against the higher-ranked Humpy on Sunday, thus pushing the final into a tiebreaker, where shorter games were played to decide the champion.

The rapid tiebreaks began with Divya playing with the white pieces in the first game, starting with Petrov’s Defence. An early exchange of pawns set the stage as both competitors opted for a solid strategy. Following a series of tactical exchanges, with both players having castled short, the game entered a critical time scramble. Divya executed perpetual checks in the concluding phase, resulting in a handshake and the first tiebreak game ending in yet another draw.

The second game of the tiebreak commenced with both players grappling with nerves and pressure. This time, Humpy held the white pieces and initiated with Queen’s Gambit Declined: Catalan Variation. However, it was Divya who took the lead by securing a vital pawn advantage. She managed her time more effectively and advanced on the evaluation scale. Her superior positional strategy shifted the momentum in her favor.

Before long, she had an 8-minute lead on the clock, providing her with a tactical advantage. Then, Humpy made the mistake of pushing her pawns in a position that was already drawn, and unexpectedly, Divya found herself in control. Under time constraints, the 38-year-old from Gudivada, Andhra Pradesh, made another error, ultimately conceding the title to Divya.

Following the match, Divya, realizing she had made history, broke down in tears and claimed the title of the 2025 Women’s World Cup champion, marking a significant milestone for Indian chess.

With this achievement, Divya is now India’s 88th Grandmaster and has triumphed in the FIDE Women’s World Cup, marking a dual victory for the emerging queen of Indian chess.