Nagpur’s 19-year-old chess prodigy Divya Deshmukh has etched her name in history by becoming the youngest Indian woman to win the Women’s Chess World Cup in Batumi, Georgia. She clinched the title after defeating the experienced Koneru Humpy in a thrilling tie-breaker, marking a landmark victory for Indian chess.
A Proud Moment for Maharashtra and India
Following her victory, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis lauded Divya’s achievement during a press meet.
“Divya Deshmukh has brought glory not just to Maharashtra but to the entire nation on the global stage. She has not only won the World Cup but also secured the Grandmaster title, becoming an inspiration for millions. Divya has consistently made the country proud, having already won around 35 medals—including 23 golds—for India in various competitions. The state government is considering new initiatives to honor and support sportspersons like her. I also extend my congratulations to runner-up Koneru Humpy for her remarkable performance.” ( Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis)
Divya is now the fourth Indian woman to become a Grandmaster, joining legends Koneru Humpy, Harika Dronavalli, and R. Vaishali. Overwhelmed by her victory, Divya was seen with tears of joy as she hugged her mother.
Divya’s mother, Namrata Deshmukh, expressed her joy with tears of pride.
“Divya started playing chess when she was just five. Teaching a game that demands such focus at that age wasn’t easy. We enrolled her in a local academy, and slowly she fell in love with the sport. Seeing her reach this stage today makes us proud beyond words.”
Who is Divya Deshmukh?
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Born on December 9, 2005, in Nagpur.
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Daughter of doctors Jitendra and Namrata Deshmukh.
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Started playing chess at age 5 and won her first national title at 7.
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Holder of Woman Grandmaster and International Master titles.
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Known for her aggressive style in rapid chess format.
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Winner of 25 international gold medals, including gold and bronze in Chess Olympiad.
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Awarded the Shiv Chhatrapati Award by the Maharashtra government two years ago.
Divya’s Reaction After Victory
“This is just the beginning. There’s so much more I want to achieve,” Divya said with a smile. “At one point, the match was tough, but luck favored me. Honestly, now I just want to sleep and eat!”
Her win has not only raised India’s stature in global chess but also turned her into an inspiration for every young dreamer across the country.
