International Master Divya Deshmukh was overwhelmed when Koneru Humpy, sitting beside her during the media interaction on Monday at National Library stated, "She could be the star of the future." The 17-year-old girl stated, "It is a great inspiration for me, playing against all these great players. I cannot put in words how much elated I am with the compliments from a great player like Humpy.”

Divya who was the last-minute replacement of IM Vaishali R. and started as the lowest-rated player overcame all odds to win the Tata Steel Chess India 2023 Women Rapid Championship. 

Heading into the final day of Rapid, Divya needed only 2/3. She first drew against the 14th Women's World Champion, GM Anna Ushenina (UKR). Then she lost against the World Junior champion in the girls’ category in 2019 IM Polina Shuvalova. 

In the final round, she was up against the World Rapid Women’s Champion in 2019, GM Koneru Humpy. India's number one faltered in the endgame and her opponent found the critical winning continuation. It earned her the biggest triumph of her career. Divya also explained, "Playing against such strong players was not that easy. Initially, I struggled to return to the match. I feel later on I was able to deliver a quality game." 

The 17-year-old has already won National Women for two consecutive editions and earlier this year, she won Gold in Asian Continental Women. 

However, reigning women’s World Champion Ju Wenjun clinched the Blitz format of Tata Steel Chess champion after a neck-to-neck battle with Harika Dronavalli and Koneru Humpy who finally finished in the second position in the format.