Why in the News?

Divya Deshmukh made history by becoming India’s first Women’s World Cup Champion and only the fourth Indian woman Grandmaster, defeating Koneru Humpy in the final at Batumi, Georgia.

Major Achievements of Divya Deshmukh:

• 2025: Won the FIDE Women’s World Cup, defeating Koneru Humpy. Became India’s 4th woman Grandmaster.
• 2024: U-20 Girls’ World Champion
• 2023: Asian Women’s Champion
• 2022: Indian Women’s National Champion
• Olympiad: Key contributor to India’s gold in 2025 Chess Olympiad (Budapest).
• 2013: Became India’s youngest Woman FIDE Master (WFM) at age 7.

About the FIDE World Chess Championship System:

• FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs): Global chess body founded in 1924; headquartered in Switzerland.
• World Championship Format: Played over 14 classical games. A player must score 7.5 points to win.
• Tiebreaker: If the match ends 7–7, rapid and blitz games are used.
• Qualification Path:
  • Zonal and Continental Championships
  • FIDE World Cup (knockout)
  • Candidates Tournament (top player faces reigning champion)
• Special Championships:
  • Women’s World Championship
  • Junior and Youth Championships
  • World Rapid & Blitz Championships

Key FIDE Events and Titles:

• FIDE World Cup: Knockout format; major path to the Candidates.
• FIDE Women’s World Cup: Equivalent format for top female players.
• Title Hierarchy:
  • Grandmaster (GM) – highest title
  • International Master (IM)
  • FIDE Master (FM)
  • Candidate Master (CM)
  • Women’s Titles: Woman Grandmaster (WGM), Woman International Master (WIM), etc.

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