India’s chess might was on display once again at the recent Women’s World Cup in Batumi, where title-winner Divya Deshmukh scripted a hat-trick of extraordinary successes.
Divya, the country’s latest Grandmaster, powered through with her teen spirit despite not being among the odds-on favourites to clinch the crown.
Speaking during an event recently, D Gukesh labelled Divya’s victory as ‘inspiring’. “We (Gukesh and Divya) basically grew up together. We played in the same tournaments right from when we were eight or nine-years-old. The way Divya won the World Cup was really inspiring. It is not easy to win the tournament, you have to play regularly for a month. I have played the World Cup two times, so I know how difficult it is to win,” he said.
“We (Gukesh and Divya) basically grew up together. We played in the same tournaments right from when we were eight or nine years old. The way Divya won the World Cup was really inspiring. It is not easy to win the tournament, you have to play regularly for a month. I have played the World Cup two times, so I know how difficult it is to win,” Gukesh said in a Velammal Nexus event that was organised to felicitate Mount Everest conqueror Ashish.
“Both of them (Divya and losing finalist, veteran Koneru Humpy) played amazingly well. For Indian chess, it is important that we have good results in both men (open) and women.”
The Men’s World Cup is also scheduled for October 30-November 27, and it will take place in India. Gukesh said, “For sure, I will take part in the World Cup. I am really excited and looking forward to it. In chess, we do not have many knockout events, so the World Cup is the biggest knockout tournament. After the Olympiad (in 2022), India hosting a big event is important for Indian chess.”
After her win, Divya was in tears immediately, and took some time to process the moment. Then she immediately went to her mother, who was at the sidelines. Her mother calmed her down, as the pair exchanged a heartwarming hug. Since then, the moment has gone viral on social media.
India can complete a WorldCup double when the global tournament is hosted in the country later this year. While chess world’s governing body FIDE have announced the dates for the event – October 30 to November 27 – the host city is yet to be finalised.
