- July 24, 2025
‘I Just Need Some…’: Divya Deshmukh’s Preparation Kit Ahead Of FIDE Women’s World Cup Final
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The 19-year-old from Nagpur thanked her fans following her qualification to the summit clash and expressed that all she wanted ahead of the final was some rest and food.
Divya Deshmukh. (X)
Indian teenager Divya Deshmukh scripted history by becoming the first woman from the nation to reach the final of the FIDE Women’s World Cup with her win over Zhongyi Tan in the semifinal of the event on Wednesday.
The 19-year-old from Nagpur thanked her fans following her qualification to the summit clash and expressed that all she wanted ahead of the final was some rest and food.
Divya, who was on the white pieces, produced an impressive display to show Tan the exit door, in a fixture that ended 1.5-0.5 in favour of the Indian.
“Thank you so much for the support,” Deshmukh said after she punched her ticket to the final.
“I don’t have much to say, my thoughts aren’t very clear right now,” she added.
“I need some sleep. These days have been so anxious,” the 19-year-old said.
“I just need some sleep and food,” the youngster said following her triumph.
ALSO READ| Divya Deshmukh Becomes 1st Teenager To Qualify For Candidates In 34 Years
Journey Of A Prodigy
Divya became India’s 21st Woman Grandmaster In 2021 and won the 2022 Women’s Indian Chess Championship. She earned an individual bronze medal at the 2022 Chess Olympiad and played a crucial role in India’s gold medal victory at the 2020 FIDE Online Olympiad. As of December 2024, she is ranked No. 2 among Indian women chess players.
Divya clinched the Asian Women’s Chess Championship in Almaty In 2023 and won the women’s rapid section of the Tata Steel India Chess Tournament, defeating top players like Harika Dronavalli and Koneru Humpy.
She triumphed at the Sharjah Challengers In May 2024, followed by a historic win at the FIDE World U20 Girls Championship in June, becoming only the fourth Indian to achieve this title. She finished with an impressive score of 10/11 after a decisive final-round win.
At the 2025 World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships in London, Divya played a key role for Hexamind Chess Club, securing silver in the rapid team event and bronze in the blitz team event. A standout moment came in the blitz semifinal, where she defeated world No. 1 Hou Yifan in an exciting 74-move game.
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