'Chinese semi-finalists vanquished': Anand Mahindra can't keep calm as its India vs India in Chess World Cup final. Who are they?

India is guaranteed a historic victory at the 2025 FIDE Women’s Chess World Cup — because both finalists are Indian. In a landmark moment for the sport, 38-year-old chess icon Koneru Humpy will face off against 19-year-old rising star Divya Deshmukh in an all-Indian finale that has electrified the chess world. The final is scheduled to begin on Saturday, July 26, at 4:30 p.m. IST.

Anand Mahindra couldn’t hold back his excitement and took to X (formerly Twitter), writing, “Both Chinese semi-finalists vanquished… It’s going to be an all-Indian Final at the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025! Divya Deshmukh vs Humpy Koneru. This is just awesome…”

Both Chinese semi-finalists vanquished…

It’s going to be an all-Indian Final at the FIDE Women’s World Cup 2025!

Divya Deshmukh vs Humpy Koneru

This is just awesome….

🇮🇳🇮🇳👏🏽👏🏽 pic.twitter.com/O5BtagWM5V

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) July 24, 2025

The clash is not only a celebration of Indian chess but also a guaranteed first — whichever way the result swings, India will claim the Women’s World Cup title for the very first time.

Who is Koneru Humpy?
Koneru Humpy, one of India’s most decorated players, booked her place in the final after a gritty comeback against China’s Lei Tingjie in the semifinals. Known for her cool head and precision in rapid formats, Humpy used her experience to outplay her opponent in the tiebreakers.

Who is the teenager, Divya Deshmukh?
On the other hand, Divya Deshmukh's rise has been nothing short of meteoric. The teenage sensation has already earned her Grandmaster norm and is just one win away from becoming India’s fourth woman Grandmaster. With this final, she becomes the first Indian to reach the Women’s World Cup final — and possibly the youngest winner yet.