Divya Deshmukh defeated former world champion Jhongi Tan and made it to the finals of the Women’s World Cup. She has become the first Indian woman to do so. He has also qualified for the candidate tournament 2026.

Divya Deshmukh created history

19 -year -old Indian chess player Divya Deshmukh defeated Chinese Zhongi Tan in the final to make a big upset. Divya, who hails from Nagpur, made history by reaching the final of the Women’s World Cup, she has become the first Indian woman to do so. His performance has also given him the Grandmaster Norm, which is an important achievement in the path of the highest title of this game.

“I could do better”, Divya Deshmukh said after the victory

After winning the World Cup semi -finals, Divya felt that she could play better. He said, “I think I could play more well. At one time I was winning but then the situation became difficult. I think I made a mistake in the middle game because I should have won more easy victory.”

Fide Women’s World Cup R06 Game 2: Divya Deshmukh Makes History by Defeating Former Women’s World Champion to Reach Final

In one of the most thrilling afternoons of chess in recent memory, India’s rising star, im divya deshmukh, delivered a stunning upset by defeating former… pic.twitter.com/cumnojchfl

– International Chess Federation (@Fide_ches) July 24, 2025

In this tournament, Divya Deshmukh had defeated China’s Zonar Zhu and Hamantan de Harika earlier, she maintained her dominance in the semi -finals, now she is one step away from the title. In the second semi -finals, Koneru Hampi played a draw with China’s Tingji Lei, now there will be a tie breaker in a small format between the two.

Won the title of International Master in 2023

Divya was born on 9 December 2005 in a Marathi family in Nagpur. His mother and father are both doctors. He won the title of Women’s Grandmaster in 2021 and International Master in 2023. In 2022, he won the Indian Chas Championship title. She also won the Asian Women’s Chess Championship in Almaty (2023).