The Spark Indian Women’s Chess Needed: RB Ramesh on Divya Deshmukh's Historic FIDE World Cup Victory

In a year that will be remembered as a turning point in Indian chess, 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh not only clinched the 2025 FIDE Women's World Cup title but also became India's 88th Grandmaster, the youngest Indian woman to do so.

While the achievement itself is monumental, the voice that perhaps captures its full significance best is that of Grandmaster RB Ramesh, one of India's most respected coaches and a long-time mentor to the country's brightest chess stars.

Speaking to myKhel in the aftermath of Divya's landmark win over Koneru Humpy in the final, Ramesh was full of admiration for the teenager's composure, versatility, and growing maturity.

"She beat the best players in the tournament and won the title"

Ramesh didn't mince words in highlighting the scale of Divya's achievement. "She scored very well against top players - she beat Tan Zhongyi, Padmini Rout, Harika, and finally Humpy," he said. "So she has beaten the best in the field. And achieving all of this at such a young age is amazing."

A high-pressure finish, handled with nerves of steel

In the final, after drawing the first rapid tiebreak game, Divya pulled off a decisive win with the Black pieces - a result Ramesh said required not just skill, but emotional control.

"In a tie-break, it could go either way. Both players are good and extremely tired," he explained. "In such moments, anyone can collapse and make mistakes. The important thing is that Divya kept her nerves under control - she didn't make the final mistake. And that's what matters in a game of this magnitude."

"She has become a universal player"

Known for her aggressive playing style in earlier years, Divya has evolved into a much more rounded competitor - a transition that Ramesh believes was key to her success in Batumi.

"She is no longer restricting herself to aggressive play," he said. "She is now playing all kinds of positions - solid chess, strategic endgames. She's becoming a complete, universal player. That's a big change from before and it's what makes her a serious force at the highest level."

"This is very important for Indian women's chess"

Divya's win wasn't just a personal triumph, it was a national milestone. She became the first Indian woman to win the Women's World Cup and joined a very exclusive list of Indian women Grandmasters, which until now only included Koneru Humpy, Dronavalli Harika, and R Vaishali.

"There are not many women worldwide who have achieved the Grandmaster title. In India, we've had only three so far," Ramesh pointed out. "Now we have someone under 20 joining that group. That makes it even more special for her, and for the future of Indian women's chess."

He added that the ripple effect of Divya's achievement could be far-reaching. "This will give more confidence to other young girls. If Divya can do it, why not them? This will hopefully encourage more girls to chase the Grandmaster title at even younger ages."

"It is high time other young players take over the mantle"

Ramesh has been at the forefront of India's chess revolution, overseeing the rise of teen stars like Gukesh, Arjun Erigaisi, and Praggnanandhaa on the men's side. But he acknowledged that progress among women has been slower.

"In the men's section, we have a steady supply of teenagers breaking into the top, players like Neha Sareen, Ronak Sadhwani, Leon Mendonca, Pranav Venkatesh, and others," he said. "But in women's chess, it's largely been Humpy, Harika, and Vaishali doing most of the heavy lifting."

That's why Divya's breakthrough is so vital.

"It is high time young players take over the mantle. And in that context, Divya becoming the first teenage woman Grandmaster from India is incredibly important," Ramesh said. "Hopefully this will lead to even younger girls, 15 or 16 years old, becoming Grandmasters. That would be fantastic for Indian chess."

A win that could reshape Indian chess

As the dust settles on Divya Deshmukh's World Cup triumph, RB Ramesh's words serve as both a celebration and a call to action. The moment is historic, but its true value lies in what comes next, the dreams it inspires, the barriers it breaks, and the players it pushes forward.

"She's shown what's possible," Ramesh concluded. "And I hope this achievement becomes a catalyst for even greater things in the years ahead."