Rising Indian chess star Divya Deshmukh has made history as the first Indian to qualify for the finals of the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025. This achievement also ensures her place in the Candidates tournament scheduled for 2026 as the 19-year-old Indian became the first teenager to make the Candidates in 34 years.
Divya faced China’s Tan Zhongyi, an experienced opponent, and was considered an underdog. Despite this, Divya secured a remarkable victory in the semi-final, bringing her just one win away from becoming the World Cup champion in chess.
The format for these matches typically involves two games, with each player switching the colour of their pieces. If both games end in a draw, tie breakers determine the winner. The first game between Divya and Tan Zhongyi resulted in a draw, making the second game crucial as it could eliminate a player or lead to additional rounds if drawn.
The second game was filled with twists and turns, but Divya ultimately triumphed, advancing to the final with a score of 1.5-0.5. She employed an aggressive and unpredictable Alapin Sicilian Defence to gain the upper hand in a fluctuating game, eventually converting her chances with clinical precision.
Since the top three finishers in the World Cup qualify for the Candidates, Divya has already secured her spot with a guaranteed runner-up finish.
Divya’s journey to the final has been remarkable. In earlier rounds, she eliminated the second seed, Zhu Jiner of China, before defeating her more experienced compatriot and India’s No. 2, Harika Dronavalli, in the quarterfinals.
Adding to the excitement, Divya might face fellow Indian chess player Koneru Humpy for the title. Humpy’s semi-final against another Chinese player, Lei Tingje, ended in a draw, with no winners in either game.
The outcome of Humpy’s tie will be decided by tiebreaks on Thursday, July 24. If Humpy wins, it will secure two Indians’ entry into the Candidates and set up an all-Indian final in the World Cup.
