Who Is Divya Deshmukh, A Teenager Who Has Entered Women’s World Chess Cup Final

International Master Divya Deshmukh has made history by becoming the first Indian to qualify for the Women's Candidates' Tournament. This achievement comes after her stunning victory over former world champion Zhongyi Tan of China in the semifinals of the FIDE Women's World Chess Cup. Divya won the mini-match 1.5-0.5, with her decisive win coming in the second game.

This win is the latest in a series of "giant-slaying" performances for Divya, who had previously defeated second seed Zoner Jhu and her compatriot Grandmaster D. Harika. The 101-move game against Tan was a testament to her strategic prowess, as she successfully converted to an Alapin Sicilian and capitalized on Tan's missed opportunities in the middle game to secure a pawn-plus endgame.

The victory not only guarantees Divya a spot in the final of the World Cup but also ensures her entry into the prestigious Women's Candidates' Tournament next year. This tournament will determine the challenger to the current women's world champion, Wenjun Ju.

Who is Divya Deshmukh?

Divya Deshmukh, born into a Marathi family of doctors, began her chess journey at the age of five under the guidance of her father. Her talent was evident early on, as she won her first national title at the age of seven. Her career has been marked by a series of significant achievements:

2020: Played a crucial role in India's gold medal victory at the FIDE Online Olympiad.

2021: Became India's 21st Woman Grandmaster.

2022: Won the Women's Indian Chess Championship and an individual bronze medal at the Chess Olympiad.

2023: Clinched the Asian Women's Chess Championship and the women's rapid section of the Tata Steel India Chess Tournament.

2024: Triumphed at the Sharjah Challengers and became the fourth Indian to win the FIDE World U20 Girls Championship.

2025: Secured silver and bronze medals at the World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships and famously defeated world No. 1 Hou Yifan in a blitz semifinal.

With a current ELO rating of 2463 and a peak rating of 2501, Divya is currently ranked No. 2 among Indian women chess players. Her latest historic win at the World Cup solidifies her position as a rising star in the global chess community.

With inputs from PTI