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Time of India
a day ago
- Sport
- Time of India
'Young Indian girls need to get more training'
**EDS: THIRD PARTY IMAGE** In this image released by FIDE, India's chess players Divya Deshmukh, left, and Koneru Humpy during the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 final match tiebreaks, in Batumi, Georgia. (FIDE/Andrei Anosov via PTI Photo)(PTI07_28_2025_000347B) Nagpur: Twenty-three years after Koneru Humpy achieved the Grandmaster title, becoming one of the youngest — and first Indian — women GMs in 2002, the 38-year-old has been carrying the Indian flag for over two decades. At the Women's Chess World Cup, Humpy secured a silver medal and also confirmed her second successive entry to the 2026 Candidates chess tournament. Though she went down fighting to Divya in a thrilling title clash, the two-time World rapid champion is satisfied with her performance. 'I didn't expect to do well in this knockout tournament considering my age, as the format needs a lot of energy. I am happy that I was able to beat strong players,' Humpy told TOI. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Revealing her trainer's (seconds in chess) name, Humpy said, 'I was able to do well thanks to my second, IM Kushager Krishnater, who has worked hard with sleepless nights.' There are only four women among the 88 Indian GMs. By winning the World Cup, Divya chose the shortest route to become a GM. With 19-yearold Divya joining the elite club of Humpy, D Harika, and R Vaishali, young players will get motivated to pick up the sport. Poll Do you think Koneru Humpy will continue to perform well in future tournaments? Yes, she has proven her skills. No, it's time for new players to shine. Divya's achievement means a lot to Indian women's chess, which had been looking for a worthy successor to Humpy, who is not done yet. Now India has two Candidates, one of whom will look to become the challenger to the world champion in 2026. Humpy said, 'We have a bunch of new generation players, and it's a positive sign that we are growing in the right direction. I think we need to give more training to the young girls to improve further.' Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Exclusive: ‘I took inspiration from Milkha and Mary Kom movie songs'
**EDS: THIRD PARTY IMAGE** In this image released by FIDE, India's chess player Divya Deshmukh during the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 final match tiebreaks against compatriot Koneru Humpy, in Batumi, Georgia. (FIDE/Andrei Anosov via PTI Photo)(PTI07_28_2025_000348B) Divya Deshmukh displayed remarkable hunger and tenacity to become India's first woman chess World Cup champion. The 19-year-old will reach Nagpur on Wednesday night, where a grand welcome is planned for her. Speaking exclusively with TOI from Batumi airport in Georgia, Divya talked at length and shared her thoughts on how it feels to be a Grandmaster, how she turned things around in her favour and the favourite dress she wore during all her tiebreak games to script history. Excerpts from the interaction... Has it sunk in yet? Yet to sink in. It's still difficult to believe that yesterday (Monday) was my last night as an International Master. The $50,000 prize money must be the biggest so far in your career. What do you plan to do with it? I think this is my biggest prize money from a tournament. I don't have any plans right now. What changes for Divya Deshmukh now — as a person and as a player? I don't think anything changes for me as a person or as a player. Definitely, it is an accomplishment that I will forever cherish, but I think it is hopefully just a stepping stone. Also, I think the pressure to become a Grandmaster. is off. That's a good thing a player. As a person, it changes nothing. Do GMs get more respect from compatriots as well as other players? I don't know. I guess I will find out now. Which was the best compliment you received — from an Indian and a foreigner? I don't know. I am yet to go through all my messages. I received lots of them. Once I can go through them, I can let you know which was the best one. How will you keep your focus in the coming months? My focus will definitely be on chess. I'll be playing in Uzbekistan in September in Grand Swiss. How do you relax or unwind before, during and after events? What do you intend to do now after this big achievement? I usually relax or unwind by listening to songs, getting some sleep, eating, watching something and just resting. Chess is quite exhausting, so I take all the rest that I can. I don't have any specific plans right now. I am a bit sleep-deprived... I need sleep. Do you think chess is the biggest happening sport in India after cricket? Do you feel bad that chess players do not get as much attention as cricketers? I am hoping that one day it becomes the next big thing. I am not sure how big it is right now, but I am hoping that my victory contributes in a small way to the overall development of chess. Also, in the last few years, it has been booming in India, so I hope it continues the same way. Chess players don't get as much attention as cricketers. I don't think it's even comparable. Do you follow any other sport? Who is your favourite sportsperson? I do follow other sports. Not religiously, but I try to follow them whenever I can. Lately, I have been watching a bit of football and tennis. I don't have a favourite sportsperson, but in this tournament, I was inspired by Milkha Singh because I was listening to the songs from his movie and also Mary Kom. Poll Do you believe chess will become as popular as cricket in India? Yes, definitely! Maybe, but it will take time. No, cricket will always be the favorite. Are you confident travelling by yourself, or do you still need your parents with you? I am definitely confident enough to do it. I love having my parents with me because it takes all the stress off me to take care of all the other things, and I just have to focus on chess. How many countries have you travelled to so far? Which is your favourite and why? I haven't counted how many countries I have travelled to. I need to make a list now. I will buy a map and then put a pin in all the countries I go to. My favourite is Greece. I don't know why, but I think that I want to go there again. It's very beautiful with amazing food. I have been there three or four times, and I want to go there again. During tournaments, I am so engrossed in chess that I don't get time to visit tourist spots. Any recent movie you have watched? I am not a movie person, so I don't think that I have watched any movies recently. How do you choose the clothes you wear? Where do you rank yourself on a scale of 1-5 in fashion sense? I just wear what I feel good in, and sometimes, I get superstitious about it. So this tiebreaker dress (pink printed kurta and beige pants) was definitely the superstitious one. I won all my tiebreakers wearing the same. I also won all the games I played in it. I don't want to rate myself. I just like to wear nice clothes. Who doesn't! Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Mint
3 days ago
- Sport
- Mint
Who is Divya Deshmukh? Meet India's 4th female grandmaster who clinched Women's Chess World Cup 2025
Divya Deshmukh became the fourth Indian woman to earn the Grandmaster title. Courtesy? The 19-year-old's Nagpur girl's victory at the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 in Batumi, Georgia. Divya's historical moment came against none other than fellow Indian chess legend Koneru Humpy. The FIDE star follows Humpy, R. Vaishali, and Harika Dronavalli in taking the prestigious Grandmaster title. Unlike most who tread the long road of GM norms and rating milestones, Divya's achievement of the Grandmaster title came from an atypical path. Usually, chess players earn the 'Grandmaster' title by achieving three GM norms and a FIDE rating of 2500 or more. There's however, an another way of securing the title—winning top-level competitions including the FIDE Women's World Cup — which Divya Deshmukh did on Monday. Divya Deshmukh was born on December 9, 2005 in Maharashtra's Nagpur. As per Divya's world ranking stands at 905. Previously, Deshmukh has bagged the 2022 women's chess champion, 2023 Asian women's champion, and 2024 Under‑20 World Champion titles, mentioned the Chess website. The FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 final match between Divya and Humpy was nothing short of a clash of generations—19-year-old Divya facing off against veteran Humpy, who is India's first woman Grandmaster and twice her age. In this image released by Flickr, India's chess players Koneru Humpy and Divya Deshmukh during the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 final match tiebreaks, in Batumi, Georgia, Monday, July 28, 2025. (Flickr/Andrey Anosov via PTI Photo)(PTI07_28_2025_000265A) More significantly, it was an all-Indian final, while China's Tan Zhongyi and Lei Tingjie competed for third place. Divya's latest feat makes her the 88th Grandmaster in India. The victory for the Nagpur player came after the two classical games played on Saturday and Sunday ended in draws. Having drawn the two classical games, it was the first set of tiebreakers that proved decisive as Humpy lost her nerves. Except the World Cup and the Women's World Championship, Humpy has won everything under the sun but, as fate or nerves would have it, the World Cup title eluded her. Divya showed steely resolve on Monday, and the bonus for the determination was the Grandmaster title, reserved for the champion of this event, reported ANI.
Time of India
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Divya Deshmukh scripts history, books her spot in Candidates
Batumi: India's Divya Deshmukh reacts during semifinal chess match against China�s Tan Zhongyi in FIDE Women�s World Cup 2025, in Batumi, Georgia. (FIDE/Anna Shtourman via PTI Photo) (PTI07_23_2025_000017A) India No. 4 Divya Deshmukh played well within herself and carved out a sensational victory over former champion from China, Tan Zhongyi, to secure a historic final berth in the FIDE Women's World Cup in Batumi, Georgia, on Wednesday. The 19-year-old Indian trusted her instincts and utilised the extra pawn to win the marathon 101-move battle in the second classical game for a 1.5-0.5 triumph in the semifinal. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Divya became the first teenager in 34 years to secure a berth in the Women's Candidates tournament. The International Master (IM) from Nagpur also duly completed her Grandmaster norm. In the final to be played from Saturday, Divya will face the winner of India No. 1 Koneru Humpy and top-seeded third-ranked Chinese GM Lei Tingjie. The second classical battle of the semifinal between these experienced GMs ended in an entertaining 75move draw where both played at an accuracy rate of 93%. The battle between Divya and three-time semifinalist Tan went down to the wire. Looking for a decisive advantage with white pieces, Divya started with the basic king's pawn opening while Tan chose the Alapin Sicilian defense. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tips for the Purchasing of Used Vehicles: latest competitive rates answerwizardy Learn More Undo On the fourth move, Divya advanced her centre pawn and made her intentions clear of going for an all-out attacking game. On the 12th and 13th turns, Tan made back-to-back dubious moves, and Divya looked in an advantageous position as the pieces of the Chinese GM lacked coordination. A notable move on the 14th turn by Divya strengthened her position. Left with no option, Tan sacrificed her knight for Divya's bishop. On the 15th turn, Divya played a wrong move. If Divya traded the queens, she could have had a decisive advantage as per the computers, but she took Tan's knight with her queen to keep an edge in the clash with a pleasant and easy-to-play position. Thereafter, Tan made a blunder with her second bishop, and Divya took control of the centre by sliding her rook. Both players made a couple of dubious moves on the 17th and 18th turns, and Divya lost the near accuracy of her play. After castling, Tan escaped from the clutches of Divya. On the 23rd move, Divya went a pawn up and eventually utilised her extra pawn to win a thrill-a-minute battle. Poll What do you think about Divya Deshmukh's performance in the semifinal? Outstanding Good but could improve Average Disappointing For the next 50-odd moves, Tan tried many tricks but Divya held her ground and reached a position with two extra pawns — with one a move away from getting exchanged as the queen. Divya sacrificed her defensive pawn on the 86th move. On the 98th turn, Divya converted her much-awaited pawn into a queen and Tan lost her rook. With Divya enjoying the services of a rook and a pawn against Tan's two pawns, she made the decisive 101st move with her king and Tan was left with no option but to resign. Having qualified for the final and also the Candidates, Divya automatically secured her GM norm. Divya later said, 'My thoughts are not clear as of now. I need some sleep and some food.' On the semifinal she said, 'I could have played and had a much smoother win. I messed up in the middle game.' Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
Deccan Herald
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Deccan Herald
July 24, 2025: Best photos from around the world
A model walks the ramp wearing a creation by designer Rahul Mishra during the 'FDCI India Couture Week', in New Delhi. Credit: PTI Photo A horseback rider performs a fire stunt during a show organized for the participants of the "Gallops" orienteering and endurance equestrian race, involving international teams of 5 or 6 members, near Lake Song Kol in an alpine valley in the Naryn region, Kyrgyzstan. Credit: Reuters Photo Jareht Alexander, 10, wipes sweat off of his sister, Leslie Juliani, 2, in Millennium Park as extreme heat and rising summer temperatures hit Chicago, Illinois, US.
