History scripted: Divya Deshmukh in FIDE Women's World Cup Final

India's rising chess ace, World no. 18, Divya Deshmukh, eliminated Grand Master Tan Zhyongyi from the 2025 FIDE Women's World Cup, scripting history and becoming the first Indian woman to advance to the Chess finals on Wednesday (July 23, 2025). She ensured a third straight victory over a grandmaster before making it to the finals. This is Divya's first Grandmaster norm, which earns her a spot in the 2026 FIDE Women's Candidates. 

Before the semifinals, 19-year-old Divya had already eliminated the second seed, China's Zoner Jhu, and Indian mate D. Harika in the quarterfinals. She continued her Cinderella story, advancing with every step. It was when she defeated Tan, Divya professed her ultimate skills. 

The boys, including R. Praganandha and D. Gukesh, are doing wonders at the top, and now R Vaishali and Divya Deshmukh. Divya well displayed her tricks and strategy with composure, not allowing Tan ever to have an upper hand, especially in the middle game. She simply missed the chance. 

While in the endgame, Divya had extra pawns to the rescue; however, Tan too proved to be resourceful till the end. The game lasted for 101 moves. Divya seemed to be remarkable with the 'whites' this time.

After the win, Divya had tears in her eyes. She said, "I think I could have played much better. I was winning at a certain point, and it had gotten complicated, and I think I messed up in the middle game, but I should have had a much smoother win, and she put up such a good fight...I think I got lucky in the end." 

The second semi-final ended in a draw between Koneru Humpy and top seed Tingjie Lei of China. Humpy only had one extra pawn remaining till the end, when the final whistle blew for a split point. Humpy and Lei will now face each other in a tiebreaker in the shorter format.  

Divya's victory has only added a significant milestone in Indian women's chess as she rises and dominates the global stage.