The reigning FIDE Women’s World Cup champion, Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh, has been awarded a wild card entry for the upcoming FIDE World Cup 2025. The competition is scheduled to take place in Goa from 31st October. Divya’s wild card entry will make the 11th edition of the World Cup more interesting as a record 21 players from the country will compete. The Indian contingent will be spearheaded by reigning world champion D. Gukesh. The FIDE World Cup, held biennially, is one of the most demanding tournaments in the sport. Featuring 206 players, it follows a single-elimination, knockout format with mini-matches that test nerves as much as skill.