By winning 2025 Women's Chess World Cup, India's 19-year-old rising star has got an entry to 2026 Candidates Tournament, the last qualification before Women’s World Championship.

Mumbai: Mumbai International Airport on Wednesday rolled out a warm welcome for Divya Deshmukh, the newly crowned FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025 Champion, marking a historic moment for Indian chess. At just 19, Divya has become the first Indian woman to win the prestigious title, etching her name into the annals of sports history.

Divya Deshmukh's story is one of pure magic! From a child prodigy winning national titles to becoming a U-20 world champion, Olympiad gold medalist, and FIDE Women's World Cup Champion at the just 19,