‘Pressure doesn't matter, but my own expectations and goals do': Divya Deshmukh
NAGPUR: 'Failures make you much stronger than success. The struggles of being beaten left to right in the open tournaments that I played before the World Cup definitely helped me become what I am,' said Divya Deshmukh said on Thursday.
In her first interaction with the media in her hometown after achieving a hat-trick of successes in Batumi, Georgia, Divya had a lot to say. The 19-year-old went to Batumi as an International Master (IM) and came back home as a Grandmaster (GM).
In the final, Divya defeated India No. 1 Koneru Humpy to win the World Cup. She also secured her spot in the Candidates tournament. Excerpts from an interaction with the media...
HER WEAPON
I always had aggression in my game. I can say my opening preparations have always been a weapon. To play attacking chess and get into complicated positions are my tactics, which make the mind games easier for me. This is just my style of playing.
PRESSURE IN THE FINAL
Humpy is a much stronger player, and I have so much respect for her. In the first game, it was more of my failure than her success. I was quite upset after the first game because I had a very good position and knew how to win it.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
TV providers are furious: this gadget gives you access to all channels
Techno Mag
Learn More
Undo
I just didn't play it. So it definitely added pressure. The way I played in the second game with black pieces gave me confidence. Though Humpy is the reigning world rapid champion, I needed to have faith in myself and in my preparations.
Since I was ready, I don't think there was any such pressure.
TOUGH MATCHES
I don't think I had any easy match in the World Cup. From an emotional perspective, the quarterfinals against Zhu Jiner were tough, and the finals was incredibly difficult.
Against Zhu, I had a really bad head-to-head score, so quite difficult. Definitely the most difficult tournament of my career.
HER EXPECTATIONS
I have been carrying pressure for many years, so after a point, it doesn't matter. For me, what matters is my own expectations and my own goals. Pressure will always be there; it comes to your mind, but I am glad that I don't dwell upon it, don't think about it.
SIMILARITY WITH GUKESH
I think the fact that we both fight till the end is the biggest similarity.
We started chess when we were kids at five or six. To go to the top, we need to depend on some factors like your environment, financial backing and support system.
GOALS AND PLANS
My goals have changed because in Batumi I got my GM title. It's time to come up with new goals. I am going to play Grand Swiss next and would like to win it. I don't think anything has changed for me. It is just that I reached one of my goals, but there are like 100 more left. And I am not satisfied. I am hoping this is just the beginning.
COACH, SECONDS IN WORLD CUP
In this tournament, I was helped by Hungarian GM Csaba Balogh, who spent sleepless nights. I think he had a harder time than me during the tournament. Indian GM Abhimanyu Puranik also helped me.
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Virat Kohli-ABD To Marcus Stoinis & Adam Zampa: Cricket's Iconic Best Friends
1/12 Harbhajan Singh and Yuvraj Singh: Another Punjabi duo, their camaraderie is legendary, rooted in years of domestic cricket and shared dressing rooms. Known for their endless banter, the World Cup winners have often described each other as family. (PC: Sportzpics) Best friends in the Indian team, always seen pulling each other's leg. Their fun reels and close bond off the field make them fan favorites worldwide. They also hosted a show together! (PC: Sportzpics) Alex Hartley and Kate Cross: Former England teammates turned podcast partners, their 'No Balls' show highlights their witty chemistry. Even after Hartley's retirement, their friendship continues to thrive beyond cricket. PS: Hartley is an RCB fan while Cross loves CSK but that rivalry hasn't come in between them! (PC: X) AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli: Their bond blossomed at RCB. Even after ABD's retirement, they remain close, often cheering each other on publicly and sharing secrets too. Kohli didn't waste a second to invite ABD to celebrate the IPL 2025 title with, even though the South African had retired long ago. (PC: Instagram) Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah: Beyond being Bangladesh stalwarts, they are also brothers-in-law through marriage. Their family ties and long-standing partnership have made them inseparable on and off the field. (PC: ICC) Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa: Known for their hilarious "bromance," they became fan favorites during Australia's bio-bubble days. Stoinis even jokingly referred to Zampa as his "husband," cementing their playful friendship. They were captured like this on camera several times. The cover photo is of a valentine's day post BBL made for them. They are also coffee mates! (PC: X) Joe Root and Ben Stokes: England's most feared Test players and longtime teammates whose friendship blossomed through shared battles. "Our relationship goes deeper and further than just teammates," Stokes said in 2022. (PC: AFP)
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
IND vs ENG Test: Washington Sundar and Prasidh Krishna creates a unique history at The Oval
India's Washington Sundar plays a shot during the third day of the fifth cricket test match between England and India at The Kia Oval in London, Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Washington Sundar and Prasidh Krishna on Day 3 of the Oval Test created a unique record during their last wicket stand. The 39-run partnership between Washington Sundar and Prasidh Krishna during the Oval Test etched a unique chapter in India's Test history. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Remarkably, all 39 runs were scored by Sundar, while Prasidh remained unbeaten on 0. This stand is now the highest-ever Test partnership for India in which one batter didn't contribute a single run. Sundar showcased explosive strokeplay, smashing four sixes and four boundaries, while Prasidh held his ground at the other end. Yashasvi Jaiswal's 118 and half-centuries from Akash Deep (66), Ravindra Jadeja (53) and Washington Sundar (53) helped India set a stiff 374-run target against England, on the third day of the fifth Test on Saturday. Yashasvi Jaiswal press conference: Message from Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli help, support from Gambhir Resuming at 75 for two, India were bolstered by a second ton of the series for Jaiswal who made 118 off 164 balls with 14 fours and two sixes, while Akash Deep smacked his maiden half-century to end with 66 off 94 balls with 12 fours. One of the most consistent performers of the series, Jadeja then propped up the score with another vital fifty as he made 53 off 77 balls with five fours. This was his fifth half century of the series apart from a hundred scored in previous Test. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Swelling and internal bleeding in the brain, help this baby Donate For Health Donate Now Undo Towards the end, Sundar smacked four sixes and four fours to make a quickfire 53 off 46 balls, putting on 39 runs for the last wicket with Prasidh Krishna, to take India's lead beyond the 350-run mark. Poll What do you think of Washington Sundar's performance in the Oval Test? Outstanding Good Average Below Expectations For England, who lead the series 2-1, Josh Tongue took five for 125. Mohammed Siraj provided the first breakthrough to dismiss Zak Crawley as England reached 50 for one chasing 374 at the close of play on day three. Crawley and Duckett had made a sedate start to take England to 50 but Siraj struck on the penultimate ball of the day. Siraj cleaned up Crawley for 14 for India's first success. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
2 hours ago
- First Post
Lionel Messi suffers hamstring injury: Will he play in Inter Miami's next Leagues Cup game
Lionel Messi suffered a hamstring injury during Inter Miami's Leagues Cup win over Club Necaxa on August 2. While Messi was subbed off early, Inter Miami won on penalties thanks to Jordi Alba's equaliser in the dying minutes. read more Advertisement Lionel Messi receives treatment on the field after getting injured. Reuters Inter Miami fans held their breath on Saturday, August 2, as Lionel Messi suffered a hamstring injury during his side's dramatic Leagues Cup win over Club Necaxa. The World Cup-winning Argentine limped off the field just minutes into the game, raising questions about his availability for the next match. What happened to Messi? Messi got injured in the 8th minute after a challenge from two Necaxa defenders near the penalty area. He slowly walked back toward the bench before sitting down on the pitch. Team trainers rushed in and began working on his right upper thigh, suggesting a hamstring issue. He was eventually substituted out. After the game, Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano gave a short update. He said Messi did not feel intense pain but mentioned feeling a pull in his hamstring. A proper examination is scheduled for Sunday, August 3, to check how bad the injury is. 'There's probably something there,' Mascherano was quoted as saying. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Will Messi play against Pumas UNAM? Inter Miami's next Leagues Cup group stage match is set for August 7 against Pumas UNAM. Whether Messi will play or not will depend on the results of his medical test. Inter Miami win on penalties Inter Miami played down a man for much of regulation after Maxi Falcon was ejected with a red card in the opening minutes. Necaxa defender Cristian Calderón was sent off in the 60th after being shown a second yellow card, so both clubs played with 10 men the rest of the way. Telasco Segovia put his side ahead 1-0 minute after Messi exited on a feed from Inter Miami newcomer Rodrigo De Paul, who had two assists in just his second match with the club. It was Segovia's second goal of the tournament. Tomas Badaloni tied it at 1 on a shot that he tapped past Rocco Rios Novo to the bottom left corner in the 33rd. Ricardo Monreal put the Mexican club ahead in the 81st before veteran left back Jordi Alba snapped a header into the back of the net on De Paul's free kick. Inter Miami won its first two Leagues Cup matches but can only advance if it has enough points in the tournament's Major League Soccer standings. Saturday's victory gave Inter Miami five points, and the Herons sit atop the MLS table, though there are several more matches that will be played the rest of the weekend. (With agency inputs)
