India has seen many chess champions.
But what if we told you… there’s a 19-year-old girl from Nagpur who just reached the semi-finals of the FIDE Women’s World Cup, defeating top world players one by one?
A Normal Girl With Unbelievable Focus
Divya was not born into fame or any royal chess legacy.
She was a simple school-going girl in Nagpur who loved chess more than cartoons.
While other kids went to movies, she stayed back and practiced moves silently on a board.
She Didn’t Just Play — She Defeated Legends
In the FIDE Women’s World Cup, Divya stunned everyone by beating top players — including Zhu Jiner of China and India’s very own Harika Dronavalli.
Why This Moment Means So Much to India
India has always produced great chess minds — but a 19-year-old Indian girl going toe-to-toe with the world’s best, reaching the World Cup semi-finals, and possibly heading to the Candidates Tournament?
Her Journey So Far Is Full of Firsts
Take a quick look at her incredible journey:
Woman Grandmaster at 15
International Master at 18
World U20 Champion
Asian Women’s Champion
Multiple Olympiad Medals for India
Beat Hou Yifan (World No.1) in Blitz Chess!
What’s Next for Divya?
She now faces Tan Zhongyi of China, a former world champion.
If she wins, she’ll reach the finals — and get even closer to becoming a world champion.
