Chess Legend Judit Polgar Applauds Divya Deshmukh’s Historic World Cup Win
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In a remarkable achievement for Indian chess, 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh has made history by winning the 2025 FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup. Held in Batumi, Georgia, the prestigious tournament concluded with Divya defeating fellow Indian and reigning World Rapid Chess Champion Koneru Humpy in a tense final. The victory not only earned her the coveted trophy but also the title of Grandmaster — making her the fourth Indian woman to do so. Leading figures of global chess, including Judit Polgar and Hikaru Nakamura, hailed the triumph as a defining moment for Indian chess.
By emerging victorious, Divya not only secured the World Cup but also achieved the Grandmaster title — a rare accomplishment considering she had entered the tournament without a single GM norm. Her rapid rise has become a subject of admiration across the chess world.
“Indian chess is just unbelievable! But do not forget — it has reasons,” Polgar wrote, referring to the growing pool of talent emerging from the country. Her words added weight to the growing sentiment that India is rapidly becoming a global powerhouse in the sport.
His message underscored how Divya’s journey has inspired a new wave of admiration and respect from international masters, who view India as a formidable force in global chess.
Calling the achievement a result of destiny, she also acknowledged that this is just the beginning of her journey. “This means a lot, but there’s a lot more to achieve,” she added, determined to build on this momentous start.
The visibility and influence of Indian chess are only expected to grow with these landmark achievements, bolstered by strong domestic support systems, talented coaches, and a competitive grassroots structure.
A Landmark Victory in Indian Chess
Divya’s victory at the Women’s Chess World Cup has set a new benchmark in Indian sports history. She became the first Indian woman ever to lift the trophy, a feat that stunned the global chess fraternity. The final match saw her locking horns with one of India’s most experienced players, Koneru Humpy, in a thrilling tiebreak that tested both skill and nerves.By emerging victorious, Divya not only secured the World Cup but also achieved the Grandmaster title — a rare accomplishment considering she had entered the tournament without a single GM norm. Her rapid rise has become a subject of admiration across the chess world.
Judit Polgar Applauds India’s New Star
Legendary Hungarian player Judit Polgar, widely regarded as the greatest female chess player in history, took to social media to celebrate Divya's performance. Polgar, the only woman ever to break into the world top 10 and cross the 2700 rating mark, praised both the young champion and the phenomenal rise of Indian chess on the global stage.“Indian chess is just unbelievable! But do not forget — it has reasons,” Polgar wrote, referring to the growing pool of talent emerging from the country. Her words added weight to the growing sentiment that India is rapidly becoming a global powerhouse in the sport.
Nakamura Joins in Praise
World No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura from the United States also congratulated Divya, describing her leap from no norms to Grandmaster status in a single event as a stunning accomplishment. He pointed out how Indian chess is consistently making waves internationally, calling the country’s current chess scene “knocking it out of the park.”His message underscored how Divya’s journey has inspired a new wave of admiration and respect from international masters, who view India as a formidable force in global chess.
A Grandmaster at 19
Speaking after her historic win, Divya admitted that the journey to the Grandmaster title came as a surprise. “Before the tournament, I didn’t even have one norm. I was hoping I could maybe earn one here. And at the end, I became a Grandmaster,” she said with humility.Calling the achievement a result of destiny, she also acknowledged that this is just the beginning of her journey. “This means a lot, but there’s a lot more to achieve,” she added, determined to build on this momentous start.
Financial Rewards Accompany Glory
Apart from the title and global recognition, the tournament win also brought significant financial rewards. Divya received a prize purse of $50,000 (approximately ₹41.6 lakh), while Koneru Humpy, as runner-up, earned $35,000 (around ₹29.1 lakh). The achievement is likely to open up even more opportunities for sponsorships, invitations to elite tournaments, and mentoring roles in the future.India’s Chess Revolution in Full Swing
Divya Deshmukh’s victory further cements India’s growing reputation in the world of chess. With multiple young prodigies making headlines in recent years, India is steadily rising to challenge long-established chess powerhouses. The success of players like Divya, Gukesh, Praggnanandhaa, and others represents a new era — one where India is no longer just a participant but a consistent contender in top global events.The visibility and influence of Indian chess are only expected to grow with these landmark achievements, bolstered by strong domestic support systems, talented coaches, and a competitive grassroots structure.
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