Divya Deshmukh just got handed a wild card entry into the 2025 FIDE World Cup, and let’s face it, nobody deserved it more than her after creating history at the Women’s World Cup 2025 earlier this year. Imagine a 19-year-old prodigy from Nagpur, fresh off victory in the women’s circuit, now charging toward the world stage. Crazy, right? So, how did she get this opportunity? Let’s take a look.
How Did She Get A Wild Car Entry To FIDE World Cup 2025
Since all the participants in the FIDE World Cup 2025 have already decided, this wildcard makes one question how she got the entry. Well, as FIDE explained, her wild card entry came as a “last-minute cancellation of one of the participants, with Ju Wenjun and Hou Yifan having earlier declined the invitation.”
Why Divya Deshmukh Of All Got The Entry?
Over the last three years, Divya Deshmukh has been a headline generator and medal magnet. She didn’t just clinch the Indian National Women’s Champion title, she roared through the Asian Continental, outplayed giants like Koneru Humpy and Harika Dronavalli at Tata Steel Chess, and held her nerve against world champ Ju Wenjun. Add to that double gold at the 45th Chess Olympiad (individual and team), and that’s what you call a star in double-attack mode.
And, finally, her biggest triumph yet, the FIDE Women’s World Cup victory in Batumi, where she earned her GM title without the usual norms, and also qualified for the Candidates Tournament in 2026. Divya’s wild card entry isn’t just a nod to her growing success; it’s an open door to a field of the world’s best in Goa, 2025.
The tournament will take place in Goa, India, her very own nation, from 31 October to 27 November, where she will be joining 20 other Indians in the single-elimination event.
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Also read: FIDE World Cup 2025: Goa Gears Up For Chess Glory From Oct 30 To Nov 27
