Divya Deshmukh receives grand welcome at Nagpur Airport after chess World Cup 2025 win; says ‘my heart is very happy’

Women’s chess World Cup champion Divya Deshmukh on Wednesday credited her family and first coach Rahul Joshi for her stunning victory upon her return to India at Nagpur airport. The 19-year-old had outwitted the seasoned Koneru Humpy in the tie-breaker of an all-Indian final in Batumi, Georgia.

A rising sensation in the world of chess, Deshmukh became the first Indian woman to clinch the Chess World Cup. She became just the fourth Indian woman grandmaster and overall the 88th in the nation to clinch that title. A native of Nagpur, deshmukh reached the city in the night and was greeted by chess fans outside the airport.

“I am so happy to receive this affection,” Deshmukh. “It feels nice to see that such a crowd has gathered here to welcome me. My heart is very happy. I want to credit my sister, the whole family, and my first coach, Rahul Joshi,” she said.

Deshmukh failed to capitalise on the two windows that Koneru left open for her with her inaccurate moves. However, on the third time, Koneru inflicted more damage on herself by capturing the f pawn on move 69, which changed the tide in Deshmukh's favour towards the final moments of the contest. This time around, Deshmukh made no mistake, played the right moves and forced Koneru to resign after six moves.

Her eyes welled up with tears as she began to grasp the scale of her victory. She tried to compose herself, but soon became overwhelmed with emotions again after embracing her mother in a heartfelt moment.