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When quizzed what she was more proud of, the World Cup title or the title of GM, Deshmukh opined that it was a special feeling to achieve both feats simultaneously.
Divya Deshmukh (X)
Teenage Indian sensation Divya Deshmukh enjoyed a double delight at the recently concluded FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 as he clinched the top spot, edging out compatriot Humpy Koneru in the championship battle to seal the title and also earn the title of Grandmaster as a result of her impeccable showing in Batumi.
The 19-year-old Deshmukh returned to his hometown, Nagpur, to a hero’s welcome with the Chess fraternity uniting to laud her incredible feat at such a tender age.
When quizzed what she was more proud of, the World Cup title or the title of GM, Deshmukh opined that it was a special feeling to achieve both feats simultaneously.
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“I think the Grandmaster title is something that would have come eventually, definitely come,” she began.
“I don’t know when, but it would have,” she explained.
“So, can’t choose,” the genius from Nagpur said.
“I think the fact that both of it happened at the same time makes it all the more special,” she added.
“Maybe it was destiny that I got both my titles in one shot and the fact that I did not have eve one norm before and now I am a Grandmaster is why I think it was meant to be,” Deshmukh said.
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Deshmukh made chess history by defeating Humpy with a score of 2.5-1.5 in the tiebreaks of the FIDE Women’s World Cup Final on Monday, making her the first-ever Indian champion of the prestigious tournament.
Along with the coveted trophy, Deshmukh received $50,000 in prize money. More importantly, her win granted her the title of Grandmaster, making her India’s 88th Grandmaster in chess history.
Deshmukh now holds the Grandmaster title, joining the ranks of only four Indian women to achieve this status, including her opponent Humpy, Dronavalli Harika, and R Vaishali.
Typically, becoming a Grandmaster requires winning three GM norms and achieving a Standard (Classical) FIDE rating of 2500 or higher. However, players can also earn this title by winning certain elite competitions, including the FIDE Women’s World Cup.
Deshmukh announced that she would take a break before competing in the Grand Swiss, scheduled to be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 2-16.
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