India’s 19-year-old chess prodigy IM Divya Deshmukh has stormed into the final of the 2025 FIDE Women’s World Cup, defeating China’s GM Tan Zhongyi in their second semifinal game.
With this victory, Divya not only books her place in the prestigious final but also earns her first Grandmaster norm and qualifies for the next Women’s Candidates Tournament – a monumental step in her career.
The other finalist will be decided on Thursday through a playoff clash between India’s Koneru Humpy and China’s Lei Tingjie, raising hopes for an all-Indian final. Humpy earlier scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman to reach the semifinals of the Women’s World Cup.
Divya’s journey to the final has been remarkable. She overcame compatriot GM Harika Dronavalli in the quarterfinals, winning both tie-break games with exceptional composure and tactical brilliance.
