Divya, a rising star from Nagpur, was just half the age of Humpy, India’s first female Grandmaster and one of the strongest women players globally
Digital Desk: After 24 intense days of competition in Batumi, Georgia, 19-year-old Divya Deshmukh emerged as the FIDE Women’s World Cup champion by defeating the experienced Koneru Humpy in a thrilling final decided by tie breaks. The win not only makes Divya the Women's World Cup champion but also qualifies her to become India’s fourth female Grandmaster, an amazing achievement since she joined the tournament without having any of the three norms necessary to qualify as a Grandmaster.
The final was a classic clash of generations: Divya, a rising star from Nagpur, was just half the age of Humpy, India’s first female Grandmaster and one of the strongest women players globally. Till date only other two Indian women have earned the title of Grandmaster since Humpy had received her grandmaster title and Divya now finds herself among the elite club.
“It was fate,” an emotional Divya said after her victory. “Before the tournament, I thought I might earn a Grandmaster norm, but in the end, I became a Grandmaster.”
The grand finale commenced in two classical games that were drawn. Divya had a strong chance to win the first game with the white pieces but faltered near the end, allowing Humpy to equalize. Divya described that draw as feeling “like a loss.”
The tiebreaks, played in rapid format, saw Divya as the underdog. Humpy, a two-time World Rapid Champion and currently ranked 5th globally among women, was the favorite against world number 18 Divya. Nevertheless, Divya seized an important mistake made by Humpy in the second rapid match to signal her historic win.
Both stars are geniuses. Humpy once held the record as the youngest female Grandmaster, breaking Judit Polgar’s record by a few months. Divya has also been a key figure in Indian chess, helping the national women’s team win gold at the Chess Olympiad last year, where she earned an individual gold medal as well.
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