India's Divya wins FIDE Women's World Cup
Batumi (Georgia)
India's young chess sensation Divya Deshmukh has conquered the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025. Divya created history as she became the first Indian to win the Women's World Cup 2025, beating compatriot Koneru Humpy 2.5-1.5 in the tie-breaks in Batumi on Monday.
With this win, Divya not only claimed the World Cup crown but also fulfilled her final GM norm, officially becoming India's 88th Grandmaster.
Humpy made a mistake by capturing the f pawn, which changed the tide in Divya's favour towards the final moments of the contest.
The Indian players, who were left tied at 1-1 each after the two classical games in the Final, entered the tie-breaks on Monday to decide the ultimate winner.
Divya became the fourth Indian WGM following in the footsteps of Humpy, R. Vaishali, and Harika Dronavalli.
The 19-year-old stated that while she feels there's much more to accomplish, she attributes her Grandmaster title to fate. 'I definitely need to learn endgames. I am pretty sure at some point I messed it up. I need time to process it. I think it was fate that I get the GM title this way. Before this tournament, I didn't even have one norm. It definitely means a lot. There's a lot more to achieve. I'm hoping this is just the start,' Divya said as quoted by ESPN.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Qatar Tribune
3 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
Karun stands tall for India as England pacers turn up heat
ICC London A rain-affected opening day of the fifth and final Test between England and India had Karun Nair's fighting half-century kept India in the hunt after England's pacers snuffed out regular wickets, with the visitors ending the day at 204 for 6. With the series poised precariously – India need a win to secure a 2-2 draw, while England need victory to secure the series – India were asked to bat by England after winning a rain-delayed toss. Both teams made four changes heading into the final Test. For India, Karun Nair and Akash Deep returned after missing the Manchester Test. Dhruv Jurel replaced the injured Rishabh Pant, while Prasidh Krishna returned to the XI for the first time since the opening Test. England fielded a new-look bowling lineup featuring Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, and Josh Tongue, with Jacob Bethell included to bolster the batting depth. The returning Atkinson made an instant impact once play got underway, trapping Yashasvi Jaiswal leg before in the third over to give England the ideal start. KL Rahul weathered a challenging spell thereafter, but couldn't make the most of his hard work, chopping one onto his stumps off the bowling of Chris Woakes. India captain Shubman Gill then took charge, not allowing England to settle. With the steely Sai Sudharsan looking steady at the other end, India moved to 72/2 when rain forced an early lunch. When play resumed, Gill and Sudharsan were tasked with navigating a tricky phase where the ball was swinging considerably. However, it was a communication mix-up between the two that led to the run-out of the Indian skipper, handing England a crucial breakthrough. Shortly after, rain once again interrupted play, after which Tea was called early. After a lengthy delay, the skies finally cleared, allowing for an extended final session – and England made merry. They started strongly, dismissing the well-set Sudharsan. Josh Tongue delivered a beautiful outswinger that found the edge of Sudharsan's bat. The pacer then produced a near-identical delivery to remove Ravindra Jadeja – one of India's heroes in Manchester – giving England two quickfire wickets. Nair and Dhruv Jurel added a crucial 30 runs for India, but England didn't allow the partnership to become anything more. Atkinson tempted Jurel into having a pop at one that was shaping away, and the edge was brilliantly taken by Harry Brook in the slips. It was then that Nair was joined by Washington Sundar, who had scored his maiden Test century in Manchester. The duo put together an unbroken 51-run stand for the seventh wicket, ensuring India crossed the 200-run mark. England also had injury concerns when Woakes sustained a suspected shoulder issue while fielding, and was forced off the field. Nair and Sundar provided much-needed stability for India at the end of the day, setting the scene for an intruging Day 2 at The Oval. Scores: India 204 for 6 (Nair 52*, Washington 19*, Atkinson 2-31, Tongue 2-47) vs England.
Qatar Tribune
4 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
England to miss Stokes as India eye series-levelling win at Oval
Agencies London As India gears up for the final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at the Kennington Oval in London, history isn't exactly on their side. The venue, while iconic in cricketing folklore, hasn't been a happy hunting ground for Team India over the years. In their 15 Test appearances at The Oval, India have managed to win just twice. Six of those encounters have ended in defeats, while seven have been drawn. In short, the Oval has often proven to be a tricky venue for Indian teams of different generations. In the 21st century, India's only win in this period came in 2021. However, that joy has been surrounded by four defeats and two draws. Their last outing at the venue, in 2023, ended in disappointment, with India going down by a massive 209-run margin. Now, heading into the fifth and final Test, India must win to level the series. A draw or a loss would hand England the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, something the visitors would be desperate to avoid after putting up a spirited fight throughout the tour. With the series on the line, and their backs against the wall at a venue that hasn't always been kind, India will need to summon all their resilience, discipline, and belief. The team has shown flashes of brilliance across the series with standout performances from the likes of captain Shubman Gill, Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, and Ravindra Jadeja but now, it all comes down to this one match. Speaking about Jasprit Bumrah's availability on eve of the match Gill said, 'We are going to take a decision tomorrow. The wicket looks pretty green, so we will see how it turns out.' So far in the series, Bumrah has been the second-highest wicket-taker and India's top bowler with 14 scalps at an average of over 26, with two five-wicket hauls to his name. Gill also said that the call on Arshdeep, who is already India's top T20I wicket-taker, will be taken later in the evening. 'He is definitely being asked to get ready. Like I said, we are going to make a decision later this evening,' he added. Meanwhile, England captain Ben Stokes has been was ruled out of Test. Stokes misses out at The Oval with a shoulder problem, sustained during the draw at Old Trafford, with a tight turnaround of just four days between Tests. But the all-rounder says he is only expecting to be sidelined for around six or seven weeks. 'It is one of those of weighing up the risk-reward, and the risk was way too high for damaging this any further than it currently is,' said Stokes. Ollie Pope will lead the side in Stokes' absence while Jacob Bethell will bat at number six. There are also three changes to the bowling line-up with quicks Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse, who has played all four Tests so far, also missing out alongside spinner Liam Dawson. Seamers Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue and Jamie Overton are included while Chris Woakes retains his place, meaning he will have played every Test of the series. Teams England XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (captain), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jacob Bethell, Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Jamie Overton, Josh Tongue. India (from): Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (vc, wk), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudarshan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav.
Qatar Tribune
4 days ago
- Qatar Tribune
Sporting community shocked at Olympic star Dahlmeier's death
DPA Berlin Germany and the international sport community have reacted shocked to the news on Wednesday that Olympic biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier has died in a mountaineering accident in Pakistan. Dahlmeier's management and local authorities in Pakistan said on Wednesday that the 31-year-old died after being caught in rockfall on Monday while climbing the 6,069 metres Laila Peak in the Karakoram range. Her body is yet to be recovered due to adverse conditions. German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said on Instagram he had hoped that Dahlmeier could be found alive and rescued. 'Laura Dahlmeier was an ambassador for our country in the world, a role model for peaceful, cheerful and fair coexistence across borders. That's how I will remember her, that's how many people in our country will remember her,' Steinmeier said. Dahlmeier won two Olympic golds, seven world titles and the overall World Cup in a glittering biathlon career she ended at age 25 in 2019. She was also German Sportswoman of the Year in 2017 and a biathlon TV pundit after her active career. Dahlmeier was a state-certified mountain and ski guide, and an active member of Germany's mountain rescue organization. She was considered an experienced and risk-aware mountaineer. International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry said on platform X that Dahlmeier 'lost her life in her beloved mountains. 'The news about the passing of two-time Olympic biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier in a terrible mountaineering accident is deeply shocking for all of us in the Olympic Movement. 'Laura made history at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics as the first female biathlete to win sprint and pursuit gold at the same Games edition. She will be remembered forever. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this very difficult time,' Coventry said. The German Ski Federation DSV said on their website: 'We were shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the tragic mountain accident in Pakistan in which our Olympic champion and long-time national team athlete Laura Dahlmeier died at the age of just 31. 'Our thoughts are with her family, her friends, her companions - and with everyone who was touched by Laura's extraordinary personality and sporting greatness.' The DSV named Dahlmeier 'one of Germany's must successful winter sport athletes' and 'a true role model. 'In Laura, the German Ski Federation has not only lost an outstanding athlete, but also a very special person. Her legacy will reach far beyond sport. We will honour her memory,' the DSV said. The International Biathlon Union (IBU) said on their website: 'Laura was one of the greatest athletes to grace biathlon and her loss is felt deeply by everyone in biathlon, the wider German sport family and beyond.
