Introduction: Divya Deshmukh is a shining star in the world of Indian chess. At a very young age, Divya has brought laurels to India at the national and international level with her brilliant game and achievements. Let us know about her life, family, chess journey, and achievements in detail.
Divya Deshmukh Biography
| Information | Description |
|---|---|
| Birthday | December 9, 2005 |
| Divya Deshmukh Age | 19 years (as in 2025) |
| Divya Deshmukh Birthplace, Hometown | Nagpur, Maharashtra |
| Paternal Family | Marathi |
| Father | Dr. Jitendra Deshmukh (Gynecologist) |
| Mother | Dr. Namrata Deshmukh (Gynecologist) |
| Sister | Arya Deshmukh (Law Student) |
| School | Bhawans Bhagwandas Purohit Vidya Mandir, Nagpur |
| Height | 5 ft 3 in (160 cm) |
| Weight | 51 kg |
| Career Started | At the age of 5 |
| Head Coach | Rahul Joshi |
Divya Deshmukh Family and personal life
Image Source: X
- Divya was born in Nagpur, Maharashtra to a doctor family.
- Both her parents are from the medical profession.
- Started playing badminton in childhood but later chose chess.
- Divya is a vegetarian and loves dogs.
Beginning of chess career
- Started playing chess at the age of 5.
- Won the National U-7 Championship for the first time in 7 years.
- First Asian gold medal in 2012.
- U-10 World Youth Champion in 2014, U-12 Champion in 2017.
Historic win in FIDE Women's World Cup 2025
Image Source: X
The biggest achievement of Divya Deshmukh's career was winning the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 title. In the final of this tournament held in Georgia, she faced India's experienced Grandmaster Koneru Humpy. This was the first time that two Indian players faced each other in the final of the FIDE Women's World Cup. After the classical game was drawn, Divya defeated Koneru Humpy 1.5-0.5 in the tie-breaker match to win the title.
With this victory, Divya Deshmukh made many records
- She became the first Indian woman player to win the FIDE Women's World Cup.
- She also received the prestigious title of Grandmaster (GM), making her the fourth woman from India to achieve this feat after Koneru Humpy, Dronavalli Harika and R. Vaishali.
- This victory also qualified her for the Women's Candidates Tournament 2026, which will decide the challenger for the Women's World Championship.
Divya Deshmukh Major achievements and records
| Year/Event | Achievement/Medal |
|---|---|
| 2021 | India’s 21st Woman Grandmaster (WGM) |
| 2022 | National Women’s Champion, Chess Olympiad Individual Bronze |
| 2023 | Asian Women’s Chess Championship – Gold, Tata Steel India Women Rapid – Gold |
| 2024 | World Under-20 Champion, Chess Olympiad (Team + Individual Gold) |
| 2025 | FIDE Women's World Cup winner, Grandmaster title |
Summary of othe major achievements
| Year | Achievement |
|---|---|
| 2012 | Asian Youth Champion (U-7) |
| 2014 | World Youth Champion (U-10) |
| 2017 | World Youth Champion (U-12) |
| 2021 | Women Grandmaster (WGM) |
| 2022 | National Women's Champion |
| 2023 | Asian Chess Champion |
| 2024 | World U-20 Champion, Olympiad Double Gold |
| 2025 | World Cup Winner, Grandmaster Title |
Till now she has won a total of 24 international gold medals and has represented India 41 times.
Divya Deshmukh Awards and Honors
Image Source: X
- Received Shiv Chhatrapati Award from Maharashtra Government.
- Cash prize of ₹50,000 from Maharashtra Chess Association in 2022.
- Gold medal in National Age-Group Championship for 7 consecutive years.
Divya Deshmukh – Inspirational Facts
- Trains under the guidance of her coach Rahul Joshi.
- Considers Vaswanathan Anand as her role model.
- Won gold for the country in Chess Olympiad, World and Asian Championships.
- Became the first Indian female GM to win the FIDE Women's World Cup in 2025.
- 1.4 lakh+ followers on Instagram, active on social media.
Divya Deshmukh's Chess Journey: Challenges
Image Source: X
- Kept focus on the game despite burnout and sexist comments.
- Talking to father before every tournament gives confidence.
- Defeated legends like Anand, Koneru Humpy, Vantika.
Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh: Conclusion
Image Source: X
Divya Deshmukh is today India's leading young female chess player, having set several records at the international level. With hard work, determination and the support of her parents and coaches, she has achieved great heights of success. She is an inspiration for Indian youth.
Having achieved such great success at such a young age, Divya Deshmukh's future looks very bright. She has become an inspiration for Indian chess and many more great achievements are expected from her. Her aggressive playing style and ability to stay calm under pressure are making her a great player in the chess world. India is proud of its young chess queen
Also Read: A.P.J. Abdul Kalam: Biography, History, Career, Books, Family, Struggle, Achievements
About the Author:
Kaif Ansari
I'm a sports Writer with five years of experience, specializing in cricket and a variety of other sports like football, hockey, badminton, and kabaddi. My journey in sports journalism began in 2021 with Possible11, where I've been contributing ever since. My lifelong passion for cricket, ignited by a childhood dream of becoming a cricketer, fuels my writing. While the playing field wasn't my destiny, I found my calling in sharing the thrill of the game through words. I'm a dedicated CSK fan, and my favorite players are Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni.
Beyond the world of sports, I'm also deeply immersed in internet culture, movies, games, and technology. I enjoy creating content that explores these diverse interests, offering unique perspectives and insights. Whether it's breaking down the latest tech trends, diving deep into cinematic universes, or dissecting game strategies, I love to share my enthusiasm with a wider audience.
