Teenage chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh has made history by becoming the first Indian woman to reach the FIDE Women’s World Cup final, securing her spot in the prestigious Candidates Tournament 2026.
A Historic Victory
The 19-year-old sensation achieved this monumental feat by defeating former World Champion Tan Zhongyi of China in the semifinal clash held in Batumi. This win marks the biggest triumph of Divya’s career so far.
Divya stunned the World No. 4 with a decisive 1.5-0.5 victory. She won the second leg of their semifinal match with white pieces, after expertly drawing the first leg while playing with black.
Road to the Final
Divya’s journey to the final has been nothing short of spectacular. Before her semifinal triumph, she showcased her remarkable talent by knocking out other strong contenders.
Her path included a significant win over second seed Zhu Jiner of China in the fourth round. She then faced compatriot Harika Dronavalli in the quarterfinals, overcoming the India No. 2 in tiebreaks after two intense draws in the classical rounds.
Grandmaster Dreams Taking Shape
This monumental performance at the World Cup has also earned Divya her first Grandmaster (GM) norm. This achievement brings her closer to becoming only the fourth Indian woman ever to achieve the coveted GM title.
Currently, only Koneru Humpy, Harika Dronavalli, and R. Vaishali hold the Grandmaster title among Indian women, making Divya’s progress a significant step for Indian chess.
What’s Next for Divya?
Divya now awaits the winner of the second semifinal, which features top seed Lei Tingjie of China and India’s No. 1, Koneru Humpy. That match also went to tiebreaks after two draws in their classical games.
Regardless of her final opponent, Divya’s spot in the Candidates Tournament 2026 is already secured, a testament to her exceptional skill and determination.
Understanding the Candidates Tournament
The FIDE Women’s World Cup is a critical event in the World Championship cycle, as it offers three direct qualification spots for the Candidates Tournament. The winner of the Candidates earns the right to challenge the reigning World Champion, currently China’s Ju Wenjun.
Divya’s success means that if Koneru Humpy also qualifies for the final, two Indian players will secure spots in the prestigious Candidates event. Even if Humpy doesn’t reach the final, she will have other opportunities through events like the Women’s Grand Prix Series and the Grand Swiss to qualify.
- Divya Deshmukh is the first Indian woman to reach the FIDE Women’s World Cup final.
- She defeated former World Champion Tan Zhongyi 1.5-0.5 in the semifinal.
- This win secured her qualification for the Candidates Tournament 2026.
- Divya also earned her first Grandmaster norm, moving closer to the GM title.
This historic run by Divya Deshmukh marks a thrilling new chapter for Indian chess on the global stage, with more exciting matches undoubtedly ahead.
