At 19 years old, Divya Deshmukh triumphed over the experienced Koneru Humpy in a tiebreak at the FIDE Women’s World Cup in Batumi, Georgia, securing the championship. This victory marks a significant achievement, officially recognizing Divya as India’s fourth woman grandmaster.
The final match was a symbolic clash of generations, with teenage Divya facing Humpy, the first Indian woman to achieve the grandmaster title. Until this moment, only two other Indian women had reached the same level.
The competition was intense. Both classical games concluded in draws, with Divya having promising opportunities in the first while playing with White pieces. Despite her advantage, a late slip allowed Humpy to salvage a draw. The match then moved to rapid tiebreaks on Monday.
Divya, despite being relatively less experienced against Humpy’s vast experience and in the rapid format, secured a stunning victory. She capitalized in the second tiebreak game, outmaneuvering the experienced grandmaster and claiming the title.
Speaking on FIDE’s official broadcast, Divya remarked, “It definitely means a lot. There’s a lot more to achieve. I’m hoping this is just the start.”
This victory is a substantial success for Indian chess, beyond being a personal accomplishment. Last year, she was the World Junior Girls’ Champion. In the Chess Olympiad in Budapest last year, she contributed to India’s historic gold in the women’s team section and also secured an individual gold medal.
Divya has carved a golden path for herself, establishing a new chapter in Indian chess and surpassing notable figures like Humpy.