Nineteen-year-old Divya Deshmukh has made history, becoming the first Indian player to reach the FIDE Women’s World Cup final in Batumi, Georgia.
A Historic Victory
Divya achieved this milestone by defeating former women’s world champion Tan Zhongyi. This incredible win not only secured her a spot in the final but also guaranteed her entry into the prestigious FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament.
The victory against China’s Tan Zhongyi also marks the first of three norms Divya needs to become India’s fourth woman Grandmaster. Her challenger in the final could even be fellow Indian veteran Koneru Humpy, setting up a potential all-Indian clash for the title.
The Dramatic Road to the Final
The semi-final against Tan Zhongyi was particularly memorable. After a quick draw in the first game, Divya and Tan battled for over five grueling hours, making more than 100 moves each. Divya emerged triumphant from this intense duel.
“What’s the fun of going into the final the easy way? Wouldn’t be me if it wasn’t dramatic,” Divya lightheartedly shared on social media after her hard-fought win.
A Rapid Ascent in Chess
Divya’s journey to the World Cup final has been remarkably swift. Just over a year ago, in June, she became the world junior champion. Now, she stands on the brink of winning one of chess’s most challenging tournaments.
Her powerful run mirrors that of Praggnanandhaa in the 2023 FIDE World Cup. Divya has defeated top players including Serbian IM Teodora Injac, China’s world No. 6 Zhu Jiner, and veteran Indian Grandmaster Dronavalli Harika, before her semi-final clash with former world champion Tan Zhongyi.
Praise from the Chess World
Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand highly praised Divya’s performance. He noted her significant achievement in beating such strong opponents, stating it represents a major breakthrough for her confidence and game.
Anand also highlighted Divya’s aggressive playing style, which he believes aligns with current trends in women’s chess. Divya has honed her skills through multiple training sessions at Anand’s Westbridge Anand Chess Academy (WACA).
An Accidental Chess Journey
Interestingly, Divya’s introduction to chess was purely by chance. As a young child, she stumbled upon a chess class while accompanying her sister to badminton lessons. She was too small for badminton, but the chess class caught her eye, and she “just stuck with chess.”
Grandmaster Abhijit Kunte, who has closely followed Divya’s progress, describes her as “very brave, someone never afraid to experiment.” He also admires her impressive maturity at just 19 years old, noting her constant self-reflection even after big wins.
Despite her current success, Divya was unsure about pursuing chess full-time as recently as 2023. She told The Indian Express she was “still exploring” her options, torn between chess and further studies. Now, her path seems clearer than ever.
- Divya Deshmukh is the first Indian to reach the FIDE Women’s World Cup final.
- Her victory over Tan Zhongyi secures a spot in the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament.
- She needs two more norms to become India’s fourth woman Grandmaster.
- Viswanathan Anand praises her potential and aggressive style, calling her World Cup run a “breakthrough.”
Divya’s dramatic run in Batumi has captured the attention of the chess world, setting the stage for an exciting final and a promising future for the young prodigy.
