Divya Deshmukh "Will Inspire Several Youngsters": PM Narendra Modi, Amit Shah Laud Chess Sensation's World Cup Win
"A historic final featuring two outstanding Indian chess players! Proud of the young Divya Deshmukh on becoming FIDE Women's World Chess Champion 2025. Congratulations to her for this remarkable feat, which will inspire several youngsters. Koneru Humpy has also displayed immense prowess throughout the championship. Best wishes to both players for their future endeavours. @DivyaDeshmukh05 @humpy_koneru," PM Modi wrote on X.
A historic final featuring two outstanding Indian chess players!
Proud of the young Divya Deshmukh on becoming FIDE Women's World Chess Champion 2025. Congratulations to her for this remarkable feat, which will inspire several youngsters.
Koneru Humpy has also displayed… pic.twitter.com/l7fWeA3qLw
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 28, 2025
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also congratulated the chess sensation.
Ecstasy for India!
Congratulations to @DivyaDeshmukh05 on winning the FIDE Women's World Cup Final and achieving the marvellous feat of becoming a Grandmaster. Your tenacity and mindfulness have truly earned you this crown.
Also, congratulations to @humpy_koneru on a remarkable… pic.twitter.com/MnefD3dmYE
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) July 28, 2025
President Droupadi Murmu also lavished praise on Divya and wrote on X, "My heartiest congratulations to Divya Deshmukh who has become the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Women's World Cup, that too, at a very young age of nineteen."
My heartiest congratulations to Divya Deshmukh who has become the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Women's World Cup, that too, at a very young age of nineteen. Koneru Humpy being the runner up, both the finalists of the chess world championship were from India. This underlines…
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) July 28, 2025
During the tense contest, a string of inaccuracies in the second rapid game contributed to Koneru's downfall. She found herself a pawn down in the rook endgame, which played out in Divya's favour. The veteran allowed the situation to sink in and resigned on the 75th move and fell short in a gripping final with a score of 2.5-1.5.
Divya failed to capitalise on the two windows that Koneru left open for her with her inaccurate moves. However, on the third time, Koneru inflicted more damage on herself by capturing the f pawn on move 69, which changed the tide in Divya's favour towards the final moments of the contest. This time around, Divya made no mistake, played the right moves and forced Koneru to resign after six moves.
Her eyes welled up with tears as she began to grasp the scale of her victory. She tried to compose herself, but soon became overwhelmed with emotions again after embracing her mother in a heartfelt moment.
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