Indian chess is experiencing a golden period, and Divya Deshmukh is the one name that stands out. Fresh off her victory against the world number one, she has now claimed another high-profile win at the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025, continuing her dream run. So let’s take a look at her incredible milestone.
The Win Over Hou Yifan and National Recognition
Not too long ago, Divya Deshmukh made headlines by defeating Hou Yifan. Yifan is the world’s number one female chess player, and she lost to Deshmukh in the World Team Blitz Championships held in London. It was a remarkable performance, especially considering the pressure and the stakes in the blitz format, where every second counts. In a memorable 74-move endgame, Divya kept her cool and outplayed Hou Yifan, helping her team secure a medal at the event.
Her accomplishment did not go unnoticed. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally congratulated Divya for her win, posting a message online that read, “Congratulations to Divya Deshmukh on defeating the World No. 1, Hou Yifan, in the 2nd leg of Blitz semifinal at the World Team Blitz Championships, London. Her success highlights her grit and determination. It also inspires many upcoming chess players. Best wishes for her future endeavours. ”
Congratulations to Divya Deshmukh on defeating the World No. 1, Hou Yifan in the 2nd leg of Blitz semifinal at the World Team Blitz Championships, London. Her success highlights her grit and determination. It also inspires many upcoming chess players. Best wishes for her future… pic.twitter.com/mjdWO0llFT
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 19, 2025
The recognition cemented her place as one of the country’s brightest stars.
Divya Deshmukh’s Another Triumph: Victory Over Zhu Jiner
Now, Divya has done it again. In the ongoing FIDE Women’s World Cup in Batumi, Georgia, she faced Zhu Jiner of China, who is not only one of the highest rated players but also had a perfect 5-0 record against Divya going into the match. This time, Divya Deshmukh flipped the script and won in 49 moves, breaking her losing streak to the Chinese Grandmaster at a crucial stage of the tournament.
The victory was important for more than just rankings and statistics. It puts Divya in a commanding position to enter the quarter-finals of the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025. In an interview after the game, Divya shared that the poor record against Zhu had weighed on her mind, but she managed to focus just on the board and play “against the pieces”, not the past.
The FIDE Women’s World Cup is one of the most prestigious knock-out tournaments in the chess world. Held in Batumi, it brings together the best players from around the globe and features intense, high-stakes matches every round. Divya Deeshmukh’s win in the fourth round is especially significant as Zhu Jiner was the second seed and a strong favorite to progress deep into the tournament.
What’s Next for Divya Deshmukh?
With this key win, Divya is now positioned to make it to the quarter-finals of the Women’s World Cup. The next games will be even tougher as she faces the remaining field of elite players. A place in the semifinals or further could open the door to even greater international opportunities and will surely push her up the global rankings.
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