“Divya Deshmukh,” said the little girl dressed in a pink frock and overcoat when asked what her name was. The year was 2013.
She had just won the National Under-9 Girls’ Chess Championship at the Nehru Stadium in Chennai, held as one of the side events of the World Championship match between Viswanathan Anand and Magnus Carlsen at the Hyatt Regency.
How time flies.
Divya is now one of the most exciting young talents in international women’s chess. The latest proof came on Monday at Batumi in Georgia, where she became the first Indian woman to win the Chess World Cup.
In an all-Indian final, she defeated the much more experienced, higher-rated Koneru Humpy. After both the classical games had been drawn, the title had to be decided in tiebreaker games, played with shorter time controls.
The first game was drawn in 81 moves. Divya had white pieces, and she ensured half a point through perpetual checks with her queen.
The second game, in which Divya was playing with black, was wilder, with both players making significant mistakes. On the 42nd move, an unwise pawn-push down the centre by Humpy had given the younger woman a clear advantage.
But Divya returned the compliment only a move later, going for a pawn exchange instead of playing her rook on the back rank. It looked like the point in the second game too would be shared in an equal rook-and-pawn ending.
On the 54th move, however, Humpy went for a pawn-capture with her rook, and Black got the advantage back. But Divya failed to capitalise yet again.
Humpy’s 69th move, with her pawn on the king-side, proved fatal. This time, Divya made no mistake.
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When Black’s extra pawn reached the penultimate rank, threatening to turn into a queen, Humpy extended her hand and conceded defeat.
It was a significant moment for Indian chess. Here was the undisputed queen congratulating the princess, who could one day become the queen.
Divya’s right hand went towards her face, and there would be tears of joy. She, however, forced a smile as FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich came up to her and congratulated her.
A little later, all her pent-up tears came out, as did her mother’s. Namrata had sacrificed her career as a gynaecologist for the sake of her daughter’s career.
Divya Deshmukh with Nihal Sarin after winning the National Under-9’s Chess Championship at the Nehru Stadium in Chennai in 2013.
| Photo Credit:
K.V. SRINIVASAN/ The Hindu
Divya Deshmukh with Nihal Sarin after winning the National Under-9’s Chess Championship at the Nehru Stadium in Chennai in 2013.
| Photo Credit:
K.V. SRINIVASAN/ The Hindu
It hasn’t been easy for the family. Divya does not have a sponsor, chess—contrary to popular notion—is an expensive sport as you need to travel around the world, and quality coaches do not come cheap. The prize money from the World Cup should come in handy; she has become richer by $50,000.
That isn’t the only thing that should make her smile. By winning the World Cup, she became India’s 88th Grandmaster and only the fourth woman from the country to do it.
She, along with Humpy, also qualified for the Candidates tournament. This was very much a World Cup to remember for India’s women.
