All-Indian Final at FIDE Women’s World Cup

Nineteen-year-old Divya Deshmukh made history as the first Indian woman and first teenager in over thirty years to reach the final of the FIDE Women’s World Cup after defeating former World Champion Tan Zhongyi. Deshmukh's victory secured her a place in the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament and a Grandmaster norm. In the other semifinal, Koneru Humpy staged a comeback to defeat Lei Tingjie in a tiebreak, confirming an all-Indian final. Both Deshmukh and Humpy have now secured spots in the upcoming Candidates, furthering India's prominence in women’s chess. Deshmukh’s run included wins over Zhu Jiner and Harika Dronavalli, highlighted by a marathon 101-move game against Tan. The achievement marks a milestone for Indian women’s chess on the global stage.