Divya, the girl who could become the queen

The Hindu

28-07-2025

The little girl was dressed in a pink frock and a pinker overcoat. 'Divya Deshmukh,' she said when one asked her what her name was, on that November afternoon at the Nehru Stadium in Chennai.
The year was 2013. She had just won the National Under-9 girls' chess championship, which was held as one of the side-events of the World championship match between Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen at Hyatt Regency.
How time flies!
Divya is now one of the most exciting young talents in international women's chess. The latest proof came on Monday, at Batumi in Georgia, where she became the first Indian woman to win the chess World Cup.
In an all-Indian final, she defeated the much more experienced, higher-rated Koneru Humpy. After both the classical games had been drawn, the title had to be decided in tiebreaker games, played with shorter time controls.
The first game was drawn in 81 moves. Divya had white pieces, and she ensured half-a-point through perpetual checks with her queen.
The second game, in which Divya was black, was wilder, with both players making significant mistakes. On the 42nd move, an unwise pawn-push down the centre by Humpy had given the younger woman a clear advantage.
But Divya returned the compliment just a move later, going for a pawn-exchange, instead of which she should have played her rook on the back rank. And now it looked the point in the second game too would be shared, in an equal rook-and-pawn ending.
On the 54th move, however, Humpy went for a pawn-capture with her rook, and black got the advantage back But, Divya failed to capitalise yet again.
Humpy's 69th move, with her pawn on the king-side, proved fatal, though. This time, Divya, made no mistake.
When black's extra pawn reached the penultimate rank, threatening to turn into a queen, Humpy extended her hand, and conceded defeat.
It was a significant moment for Indian chess. Here was the undisputed queen congratulating the princess who could one day become the queen.
Divya's right hand went towards her face, and there would be tears of joy. She, however, forced a smile as FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich came up to her and congratulated her.
A little later, all her pent-up tears came out, as did her mother's. Namrata had sacrificed her career as a gynaecologist for the sake of her daughter's career.
It hasn't been easy for the family, with Divya not having a sponsor, and chess, contrary to popular notion, is an expensive sport, as you need to travel around the world and quality coaches do not come cheap. The prize-money from the World Cup should come in handy: she has become richer by $50,000.
That isn't the only thing that should make her smile. By winning the World Cup, she became India's 88th Grandmaster, and only the fourth woman from the country to do so.
She, along with Humpy, also qualified for the Candidates tournament. This was very much a World Cup to remember for India's women.