Divya Deshmukh’s Inspiring Journey to Grandmaster
Divya Deshmukh, hailing from Nagpur, arrived at the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 as an underdog. She aimed to secure at least one Grandmaster norm along her path to becoming a Grandmaster in the future. However, her exceptional talent and determination led her to surpass expectations and achieve remarkable milestones in just three weeks.
Landing Three Major Achievements
Surpassing all odds, the 19-year-old sensation conquered three significant milestones in a short span. She not only secured a spot in the prestigious Candidates tournament for the next year but also clinched the title at the Women’s World Cup. In an extraordinary turn of events, Deshmukh automatically earned the revered title of Grandmaster, a feat known for its difficulty in the chess world.
In the world of chess, achieving Grandmaster status is highly demanding. Players are required to earn three GM norms in FIDE-approved tournaments and surpass a rating of 2500. Fortunately, Deshmukh’s exceptional skills aligned perfectly, marking a historic moment for the talented Nagpur player.
Rewards of Winning the Women’s World Cup
According to FIDE regulations, winners of select elite tournaments, including the Women’s World Cup, skip the norm-and-rating process and directly attain the Grandmaster title. This rule immensely favored Deshmukh’s triumph, catapulting her into the elite Grandmaster circle.
Overwhelmed by her victory, Deshmukh expressed her disbelief and gratitude. Reflecting on her unexpected achievement, she shared, “I didn’t even have one norm coming into the event. All I could think of was when I would acquire my first norm, and now, I’m a Grandmaster. It feels like fate.”
The young chess prodigy, supported by her mother, a doctor, basked in her well-deserved glory. Emotions ran high as she defeated the formidable Koneru Humpy, a two-time World Rapid champion, in a heartfelt competition.
Despite her monumental success, Deshmukh remains humble and driven. She acknowledged the significance of her title, yet strives for more remarkable achievements. Deshmukh’s accomplishment places her among the elite few, making her the fourth Indian woman to achieve the esteemed Grandmaster status.
