On July 29, 2025, Divya Deshmukh made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win the FIDE Women’s World Cup. At just 19 years old, she also earned the title of India’s 88th Grandmaster. This young chess player from Nagpur, Maharashtra, has captured the hearts of millions with her talent and determination. Her journey from a small city to the global chess stage is inspiring. This article tells the story of Divya’s life, her family, her achievements, and her dreams in simple words.
Early Life And Family
Divya Deshmukh was born on December 9, 2005, in Nagpur, Maharashtra. She grew up in a simple Marathi family. Her father, Dr. Jitendra Deshmukh, is a professor at a government medical college. Her mother, Dr. Namrata Deshmukh, is a gynecologist. Divya has an elder sister named Prachi, who studies law. Her parents noticed her sharp mind when she was very young. They supported her in every way. Divya’s home was filled with love and learning. This helped her grow strong and confident.
As a child, Divya loved playing games. She tried badminton at the age of four. But she was too short for it. Her father used to play chess for fun. Divya watched him and got curious. At five years old, she started playing chess with her father. She loved the game instantly. Her parents saw her talent. They decided to help her follow her passion. This was the start of Divya’s amazing chess journey.
Education And Early Days
Divya went to Bhavan’s Bhagwandas Purohit Vidya Mandir in Nagpur for her schooling. She was a good student. But chess was her true love. At six years old, she began training with coach Rahul Joshi. He saw her potential right away. Divya worked hard every day. She played in local tournaments and won many prizes. Her first trophy came when she was just five. This made her even more excited about chess.
In 2012, Divya won the Under-7 National Championship. This was a big moment for her. She was only seven years old. Her parents were proud but not surprised. They knew she was special. Divya kept practicing and playing. She loved solving chess puzzles. Her sharp mind helped her understand the game quickly. Soon, she started competing in bigger tournaments. Her confidence grew with every win.
Divya Deshmukh Age, Wiki, Biography, Husband, Family
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Divya Deshmukh |
| Date of Birth | December 9, 2005 |
| Age (as of July 29, 2025) | 19 years old |
| Place of Birth | Nagpur, Maharashtra, India |
| Family | - Father: Dr. Jitendra Deshmukh (Professor) - Mother: Dr. Namrata Deshmukh (Gynecologist) - Sister: Prachi Deshmukh (Law student) |
| Education | - Bhavan’s Bhagwandas Purohit Vidya Mandir, Nagpur - Pursuing distance education |
| Chess Start | - Started playing at age 5 with father - Formal training at age 6 with coach Rahul Joshi |
| Early Achievements | - U-7 National Champion (2012) - Gold: Asian Youth & Commonwealth (2015) - Gold: World Youth Championship (2017) |
| Major Titles | - WIM (2018, age 12) - WGM (2021, age 15) - 88th Indian GM (2025) |
| Key Achievements | - Indian Women's Champion (2022) - Asian Women’s Champion (2024) - Winner: World Junior Girls’ (2024) - FIDE Women’s World Cup (2025) |
| - Individual & Team Gold: Chess Olympiad (2024) - Blitz Bronze, Rapid Silver: World Rapid/Blitz Team (2025) | |
| Recent Highlights | - Defeated Hou Yifan in blitz (2025, London) - Joint 2nd: FIDE Women’s Grand Prix (April 2025, Pune) |
| Elo Rating | - Peak: 2501 (Oct 2024) - Current: ~2463 (June 2025) |
| World Ranking | - Global: No. 18 - Indian Women: No. 4 (as of June 2025) |
| Playing Style | Aggressive style, excels in rapid/blitz formats; known for bold and quick decisions |
| Coach | RB Ramesh |
| Hobbies | Reading, painting, spending time with pets |
| Social Media | Active on Instagram and Chess.com |
| Advocacy | Promotes gender equality in chess |
| Nationality | indain |
| Goals | Become full Grandmaster; reach top 100 globally |
| Idol | Viswanathan Anand |
| Net Worth | Estimated ₹1–2 crore (prizes + sponsorships) |
| Personal Life | Unmarried, lives in Nagpur with family; maintains privacy |
| Inspiration | Role model for Indian girls; symbol of India’s chess revolution |
Rise to Fame
Divya’s talent shone brightly in her early years. In 2015, she won gold medals at the Asian Youth Chess Championship. She also won a gold at the Commonwealth Chess Championship that year. These wins made people notice her. She was only 10 years old, but she was already a star. In 2017, she won another gold at the World Youth Chess Championship in Brazil. She also won medals in blitz and rapid formats. Divya was proving she could compete with the best.
In 2018, at just 12 years old, Divya earned the Woman International Master (WIM) title. This was a huge achievement. She was one of the youngest players to get this title. In 2019, she became India’s No. 3 female chess player. She was only 13 years old. Her rise was fast and unstoppable. People started calling her a chess prodigy. Divya stayed humble despite her success. She kept working hard to get better.
Major Achievements
In 2021, Divya became India’s 21st Woman Grandmaster (WGM). She was just 15 years old. This made her one of the youngest WGMs in the world. The same year, she faced tough times because of the pandemic. But she stayed focused. She trained online and kept improving. In 2022, Divya won the Indian Women’s Chess Championship. She was the first teenager to win this title since Koneru Humpy in 2003. This victory made her a national hero.
In 2024, Divya had her best year yet. She won the Asian Women’s Chess Championship. She also won the World Junior Girls’ Championship in Gujarat. She scored an amazing 10 out of 11 points. This showed her strength and skill. At the 45th Chess Olympiad, Divya played on Board 3 for India. She scored 9.5 out of 11 points. This earned her an individual gold medal. Her team also won the gold medal. India celebrated her as a champion.
In 2025, Divya achieved her biggest victory. She won the FIDE Women’s World Cup in Batumi, Georgia. She defeated Koneru Humpy, a chess legend, in the final. This win made her India’s 88th Grandmaster. It also earned her a spot in the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament. Divya was now a global star. Her victory inspired young girls across India to dream big.
Recent Successes
In 2025, Divya continued to shine. She played at the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championship in London. She defeated World No. 1 Hou Yifan in a thrilling blitz match. This was her first win against the Chinese grandmaster. Divya’s team won a bronze medal in the blitz event and a silver in the rapid event. She also won an individual bronze medal. Her performance was outstanding.
In April 2025, Divya competed in the Pune leg of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix. She beat strong players in long games. She finished joint second in the tournament. Earlier in the year, she faced challenges at events like Wijk and Prague. But she learned from these experiences. She came back stronger in Cyprus and Pune. Her rating reached a peak of 2501 in October 2024. As of June 2025, her Elo rating is around 2463. She is ranked No. 18 in the world and No. 4 among Indian women.
Playing Style And Personality
Divya is known for her aggressive chess style. She loves attacking her opponents. Her moves are bold and smart. She is especially strong in rapid and blitz formats. Her quick thinking makes her a tough player. Divya studies her opponents carefully. She plans her moves with care. This helps her win against even the best players.
Off the board, Divya is kind and humble. She loves reading and painting in her free time. She is also an avid dog lover. She shares pictures of her pets on social media. Divya is active on Instagram and Chess.com. She connects with her fans and shares her journey. She also speaks out about gender equality in chess. She wants more girls to play the game. Her boldness has earned her many fans.
Personal Life And Net Worth
Divya lives with her family in Nagpur. She is unmarried and focused on her career. She keeps her personal life private. Her net worth is estimated to be around ₹1-2 crore. She earns money from tournaments and sponsorships. Her success has brought her fame and respect. But Divya stays grounded. She credits her parents for her achievements. They have supported her every step of the way.
Legacy And Inspiration
Divya Deshmukh is a role model for young Indians. Her story shows that hard work and passion can lead to success. She started as a small girl with big dreams. Today, she is a world champion. Her victories have put Nagpur on the global chess map. Divya’s journey is far from over. She is still young and full of energy. Chess fans are excited to see what she does next.
Divya’s success is part of India’s chess revolution. Players like Viswanathan Anand and Koneru Humpy inspired her. Now, she is inspiring a new generation. Young girls see her and believe they can achieve great things. Divya’s story is about courage, talent, and determination. She proves that anyone can shine with the right support and hard work.
Conclusion
Divya Deshmukh is a true gem of Indian chess. At just 19, she has achieved what many only dream of. From winning national titles to becoming a world champion, her journey is remarkable. Her aggressive style and fearless spirit make her a unique player. Off the board, she is a kind and inspiring person. Divya’s story teaches us to chase our dreams with passion. As she continues to grow, India cheers for its young chess queen.