Fresh off World Cup success, Divya Deshmukh continues giant-slaying run

India Today

a day ago

India's 19-year-old chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh has continued her remarkable run of form by storming into the quarter-finals of the 2025 Women's Speed Chess Championship. Facing world No. 7 Lei Tingjie of China, Divya produced a dominant performance across all formats, blitz and bullet, to secure a resounding 10–3 victory. Her precision, speed, and ability to convert even the smallest of advantages left her opponent struggling to find a foothold.advertisementThe format tests players in a mix of time controls: 5+1, 3+1, and 1+1 games. Divya thrived in each, winning eight games, drawing four, and conceding just one loss. The victory sets up a tantalising quarter-final clash against Hou Yifan, the four-time world champion and current world No. 1.The Speed Chess Championship, an online event, marks Divya's first competitive appearance since winning the Women's World Cup last month. It appears she has already put behind her the highs of the biggest win of her career to focus firmly on the next challenge.SLAYING CHINESE GREATS
This latest triumph continues a growing trend: Divya's ability to consistently outplay top Chinese opponents, long regarded as the dominant force in women's chess. The pattern was most vividly displayed at the 2025 Women's World Cup in Batumi, where she produced one of the most stunning tournament runs in recent memory.Seeded 15th, she began her campaign with solid wins before facing a string of Chinese heavyweights. In the round of 16, she upset world No. 2 Zhu Jiner in a tense rapid tiebreak. In the semi-finals, she defeated former women's world champion Tan Zhongyi in commanding fashion, displaying a blend of aggressive preparation and endgame tenacity. She capped off the event by edging out Indian legend Koneru Humpy in the final, securing the World Cup title, the Grandmaster title, and a place in the 2026 Candidates Tournament.Her ability to break through the Chinese wall is no accident. Divya has shown an exceptional knack for preparing against their structured, theory-heavy style, often steering games into dynamic and less-charted territories where her tactical vision shines. She has also demonstrated immense psychological resilience, never appearing overawed by an opponent's reputation.Her success extends beyond individual events. In recent team competitions, she has delivered crucial wins against Chinese boards, including a rapid victory over Hou Yifan in a blitz match.When asked if she had discovered a particular weakness against Chinese players, Divya was characteristically modest.'I don't know if it's about them, really. All of them are very strong players. But I didn't do anything new—I just kept fighting until the end. I think that's what helped me,' she told India Today last month.advertisementOff the board, Divya's meteoric rise has made her a symbol of inspiration. Her return to Nagpur after her World Cup win was marked by a celebratory homecoming, with crowds lining the streets. Known for her calm demeanour, she credits her success to disciplined training, a supportive family, and a mindset that treats every game as a learning opportunity.It's no surprise that her childhood coach, International Master Srinath Narayanan, likens her nerves to MS Dhoni.'She has this uncanny ability to rise in crunch situations—like Dhoni pulling off a win in the final over,' he told news agency PTI. 'Divya turns up when it matters most. She performs incredibly well under pressure in big games. I've seen that in her since 2018.'A tough test against Hou Yifan awaits her on Thursday, but the 19-year-old will be determined to put her best foot forward and book a place in the semi-finals of the Speed Chess Championship.- EndsMust Watch