Overview

• Deshmukh defeated compatriot Koneru Humpy 2.5–1.5 in rapid tiebreaks after two drawn classical games to claim the FIDE Women’s World Cup in Batumi, Georgia.
• Her victory earned the final norm needed to become India’s fourth female and 88th overall Grandmaster.
• She received $50,000 in prize money and qualified for the 2026 FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament, the gateway to challenging for the World Championship.
• Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya honored Deshmukh in New Delhi, emphasizing sustained government support for chess through Khelo Bharat Niti and upcoming sports governance reforms.
• Deshmukh plans to rest this month before competing in the Grand Swiss tournament in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 2–16.