Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh received a great welcome in her hometown of Nagpur when she returned after Wednesday 30th July won the Women’s World Cup. Wonder was pleased to see the reaction of people in Nagpur, because many appeared to greet a young chess feeling.
Divya created a history when she defeated the countryman Koner Humpy in the Final of the Women’s Chess Cup In Batumi in Georgia, she became the first Indian to win the title. A 19-year-old man beat Humpy in a tie-breaker after classic games ended in a draw. Wonder entered the tournament as Underdog, which was to provide GM-Norm, but returned home with the title Grandmaster. She also secured her place in the tournament of candidates.
“I feel very happy that so many people came to me to come, and chess gains recognition,” Deshmukh said.
When Divya asked her victory, she paid tribute to her parents, family and her first coach Rahul Joshi, who unfortunately died in 2020.
“My parents played the biggest role in my career. Without them, I wouldn’t have come here. Credit to my family, my parents, my sister and my first coach Rahul Joshi, Lord. He always wanted me to become a great master,” Divya said.
“My mother and father were supposed to play a bigger role, but definitely my whole family, my sister Arya Deshmukh, my grandmother, grandfather … I don’t think what I say will be enough (for my parents).”
Wonder also reserved a special praise for GM Abhijit Kunte and said she was her happy charm.
“Abhijit, Lord, he’s lucky. Wherever he was with me, I won the trophy,” she said.
Wonder has opened up about her future plans and said she would rest in August and compete in Grand Swiss.
“I will relax this month and I will play Grand Swiss next month,” Divya said.
The Great Swiss will take place in Samarkand in Uzbekistan from 2 to 16 September.
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Published on:
31 July 2025
