In a watershed moment for Indian chess, 18-year-old Divya Deshmukh scripted history by becoming the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Women’s World Cup. The sensational victory came in Batumi, Georgia, where Deshmukh defeated Bulgaria’s Nurgyul Salimova in a nail-biting final on Sunday.
The win marks a major milestone for India in international chess and cements Deshmukh’s status as a generational talent. The emotional aftermath of the win—captured live on camera—showed Deshmukh in tears, overwhelmed by the enormity of her achievement. “It’s like a dream. I never thought I’d win this tournament,” she shared during the post-match press conference.
As reported by The Times of India, Divya Deshmukh faced a series of formidable opponents throughout the knockout-format tournament. Her calm under pressure, strategic foresight, and positional brilliance were pivotal to her success. With this title, she joins an elite group as India’s fourth woman Grandmaster, following the trail blazed by Koneru Humpy, Harika Dronavalli, and Tania Sachdev.
“The Banana Survived Batumi”: A Quirky Mascot and a Gritty Champion
In what has become a heartwarming and humorous subplot, Deshmukh earned the affectionate nickname “The Banana” during the tournament. A banana she packed in round one remained untouched in her backpack throughout the event, eventually becoming her good-luck charm. “The Banana survived Batumi,” her teammates joked—a quirky metaphor for her own endurance and calm during tense matches.
But behind the laughs lies a story of extraordinary grit. Deshmukh’s final against Salimova tested every ounce of her skill and resolve. In a closely fought battle that went into rapid tiebreaks, she outmaneuvered her opponent with strategic precision. Her performance was widely praised for its maturity beyond her years.
According to The Times of India, the win is a significant leap forward for Indian women’s chess, inspiring a new wave of young talent. It reflects not just individual brilliance, but also the growing ecosystem of chess in India, including better training facilities, increased mentorship, and a supportive community of rising stars.
From Prodigy to Pioneer: Who is Divya Deshmukh?
Born in Nagpur, Maharashtra, Divya Deshmukh began playing chess at age five and quickly ascended through the ranks. By her teens, she had already won multiple age-group national titles and became a key figure on India’s junior circuit. In 2022, she earned the International Master (IM) title and later joined the elite league as India’s fourth woman Grandmaster.
As per Livemint, Divya Deshmukh has been a dominant force in women’s chess for years. She previously clinched the Asian Women’s Championship and performed strongly in global rapid and blitz tournaments. Her consistency, work ethic, and use of digital tools—like AI-based coaching platforms—have set her apart from her peers.
The young champion has already received accolades from across the nation, including praise from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chess icon Viswanathan Anand, who called her win “a moment of immense pride for India.” Looking ahead, Deshmukh is now eyeing the Women’s World Championship title—an ambition that suddenly feels within reach.
With a World Cup crown, national pride, and a quirky banana tale to her name, Divya Deshmukh isn’t just India’s new chess queen—she’s an icon in the making.
