Batumi (Georgia): In the history of chess, it had never happened that a teenage girl entered the World Cup hoping to earn her first Grandmaster (GM) norm, but ended up winning the prestigious tournament and becoming the youngest world champion. Yet, that is exactly what happened with 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh from Nagpur. On Monday, this young girl from Maharashtra became the new and youngest woman world champion in chess.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and several other dignitaries and chess experts extended their congratulations to Divya on social media.
D. Gukesh is the youngest world champion in men’s category
India’s 19-year-old D. Gukesh became the youngest men’s world champion in December 2024. He had earned the Grandmaster title in 2019 at the age of just 13.
A unique world record for India
It is the first time ever in the history of chess that players from a single country—both aged 19—became the youngest world champions in the same era, in both the men’s and women’s categories.
Divya defeated India’s own Humpy
Divya clinched the world champion title by defeating Koneru Humpy, India’s 38-year-old former rapid world champion and current world number one, in a tie-breaker after two drawn games.
Came hoping for a little, achieved far more!
When Divya entered the tournament, she didn’t even have a single GM norm. She played the FIDE World Cup as an International Master (IM) and was hoping to earn at least one GM norm to strengthen her future chances of competing in elite events sanctioned by FIDE.
She will now play in the Candidates Tournament
To become a Grandmaster, a player usually needs three GM norms and a rating of 2500+. But according to FIDE rules, if a player wins a major title like the World Cup, the title of Grandmaster is automatically awarded. Divya not only became a world champion but also secured her Grandmaster title and an automatic spot in the upcoming Candidates Tournament.
Automatically becomes a Grandmaster
Since winning the World Cup grants automatic GM status, Divya Deshmukh now officially holds the GM title through her world title victory.
Divya’s mother is a doctor
After becoming world champion on Monday, Divya was overjoyed and emotional. Her mother, a doctor by profession, was by her side during this remarkable achievement.
Achieved more than she had imagined
Speaking to the media, an overwhelmed Divya said:
“I can’t express how happy I am. I’m so emotional right now, I can barely speak. I never imagined I’d become a Grandmaster by winning the World Championship. I was just worried about when I’d earn my first GM norm! But now I’ve won the World Cup and automatically become a GM. That said, I know I still have a long journey ahead in chess.”
Fourth Indian woman GM, beat the youngest GM
Divya Deshmukh is now the fourth Indian woman to achieve the Grandmaster title. Before her, Koneru Humpy, Dronavalli Harika, and R. Vaishali had become GMs. Humpy was the first, earning the title in 2001 at the age of 14.