In a stunning performance at the FIDE Women’s World Cup in Batumi, Georgia, 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh defeated Koneru Humpy in a tiebreak, earning the championship title and the prestigious title of India’s fourth woman grandmaster.
The final pitted the youthful energy of Divya against Humpy, a veteran and the first Indian woman grandmaster. Only two other Indian women had previously reached this high level of chess proficiency.
The match was a closely contested battle. Both classical games ended in draws. Divya, playing with the white pieces in the first game, had a strong position but a late error allowed Humpy to secure a draw. The tension then escalated to rapid tiebreaks on Monday.
Despite her relative inexperience compared to Humpy’s vast experience and mastery in the rapid format, Divya achieved a sensational victory. She dominated the second tiebreak game, demonstrating her skills to defeat the experienced grandmaster and clinch the title.
On the official FIDE broadcast, Divya expressed her feelings, stating, “It definitely means a lot. There’s a lot more to achieve. I’m hoping this is just the start.”
This victory is not just a personal triumph, but a huge boost for Indian chess. She was the World Junior Girls’ Champion the previous year. Furthermore, she helped India win a historic gold medal in the women’s team event at last year’s Chess Olympiad in Budapest, also securing an individual gold medal on her board.
Divya has created a significant legacy, advancing Indian chess and outshining renowned players like Humpy.