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I'm an aggressive player, don't feel pressure: Chess champ Divya Deshmukh
The 19-year-old became the youngest to win the Women's World Cup, held in Batumi in Georgia, on July 28 after she outwitted Koneru Humpy in the tie-breaker of an all-Indian final. The victory not just earned her the prestigious title, but also made her a Grandmaster. Interacting with the press here, the chess sensation said it is easier for her to go into tactics and aggressive positions. "Pressure does not matter much to me. What matters is my own expectations and goals," Deshmukh asserted.
Asked about frequent comparisons with the legendary former India cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, hailed for his aggressiveness and mental toughness, Deshmukh said, "I think aggressiveness was always in my play. It is easier for me to go into tactics and aggresive positions. I think it is my style." Asked about similarities with D Gukesh, who at 18 became the youngest world chess champion in December after a victory over Ding Liren of China, Deshmukh said, "I think the fact that we both fight till the end is the biggest similarity." Queried on rise in exprectations post her stupendous win, the 19-year-old said there has been pressure on her for the last many years. "But after a time, it doesn't matter whether there is pressure from 100 persons or a lakh. For, me what matters is my own expectation and my own goals. Obviously, pressure is always there in your head but I try not look at it or think about it," she said.
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NDTV
6 hours ago
- NDTV
Divya Deshmukh Hopes Her Chess World Cup Win 'Motivates And Inspires Lot Of Young Girls'
FIDE Women's World Cup gold medallist, who also became the 88th Grandmaster of the country and 4th Indian woman to become a Grand Master Divya Deshmukh, believes her run at the tournament was a 'test of resilience' and hopes it motivates young girls to dream and achieve more on a global level. Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports and Labour & Employment, Mansukh Mandaviya, felicitated Divya and her final opponent, Koneru Humpy in New Delhi on Friday. "I think this tournament has been the biggest task of resilience, and also it was such a long event, so it definitely tested my physical and emotional stamina and also how to handle my nerves in the crucial moments. "It (resiliency) is definitely one of the things that has helped me come this far; that and always always fighting to the end because I think that even in this tournament that has helped me a lot," Divya told IANS. The 19-year-old Divya stunned the chess world by winning the FIDE Women's World Cup 2025, becoming the first Indian woman to claim the prestigious title. In the all-Indian final, Divya defeated legendary compatriot Koneru Humpy 1.5-0.5 in the rapid tiebreaks on Monday to script a fairytale ending. "I would say it definitely helped chess in India and I'm hoping that it becomes motivation and inspiration for a lot of young girls that are out there and they are watching and are having big dreams, so I hope that they know that they can achieve them. I think it will hopefully play a small part," she added. The classical games played in the final had ended in tense draws, with both players showcasing resilience and elite-level play. But the tie-breaks were where the young sensation flipped the script. After the first rapid game ended in a draw, the second saw Humpy crack under time pressure, making critical blunders that Divya pounced on. With nerves of steel, Divya closed out the win to become the 2025 Women's World Cup champion, the fourth Indian woman to earn the Grandmaster title, and the country's 88th GM overall. "It has been very overwhelming coming to India seeing so much love from people, so much support from people. It has been really nice. It has been quite an exhausting trip and also an exhausting few days, but I don't think my heart could be any happier," she concluded. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
News18
7 hours ago
- News18
Divya Deshmukh On Lifting FIDE World Cup: 'Happy That Title Has Come To India'
Last Updated: Teenaged sensation Divya Deshmukh expressed her joy after winning the Women's World Cup, defeating Koneru Humpy in an all-Indian final and was felicitated by Sports Minister. Teenaged chess sensation Divya Deshmukh expressed her 'biggest joy" on Friday, stating that more than her victory in the Women's World Cup earlier this week, she was thrilled that the trophy came to India. The 19-year-old Divya defeated her senior compatriot Koneru Humpy in an all-Indian final at Batumi, Georgia, on Monday, making her the youngest chess player to win the Women's World Cup. 'I am very happy that the title has come to India. Koneru played very well but I was lucky that I won. For me, the biggest joy was in knowing that no matter who won, the title would come to India," said Divya, who was felicitated by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya here. 'I feel so happy to be felicitated by Hon'ble Minister because this motivates athletes and gives youngsters the message that they have the support of the country. 'I also want to thank Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Sports Ministry for the constant support to chess. Sustained encouragement of this kind will help the game grow in the country," she added. Divya, who hails from Nagpur, triumphed over Humpy in a tense tie-break after two drawn classical games. During the event, she secured her first GM norm and defeated top players like Zhu Jiner, Dronavalli Harika, and Tan Zhongyi. 'Grandmasters like you will serve as inspiration for the new generation. More youngsters will take interest in sports, especially a mind sport like chess. Chess may be considered one of India's gifts to the world, and has been played since ancient times," Mandaviya said. 'I firmly believe that many daughters of India will rise in the world by drawing inspiration from both of you." Discussing Humpy's contribution to the sport, the minister said, 'I know that she has inspired many in her journey. She has played a long and distinguished innings. I remember going home and watching her games with my children." He emphasised that the central government is not merely supporting sports on paper but ensuring deep and structured support on the ground. 'A roadmap has been prepared to that effect. Several reforms will be seen in the coming days. Just last month, we had the announcement of the Khelo Bharat Niti. Now, a National Sports Governance Bill will be considered in Parliament to bring about good governance in sports. After its passage and implementation, the nation will witness further growth in sports development." Divya became the 88th Grandmaster from India and the fourth Indian woman to become a GM. 'It was a very long and exhaustive tournament and I am happy that I was able to play till the end. India dominated the finals with chess players from two generations facing each other, and the title came to India," said Humpy, who became a GM at the age of 15 in 2002, joining the ceremony virtually. view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 01, 2025, 20:49 IST News sports Divya Deshmukh On Lifting FIDE World Cup: 'Happy That Title Has Come To India' Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
7 hours ago
- News18
Biggest joy was World Cup title won by an Indian: Divya
Agency: Last Updated: New Delhi, Aug 1 (PTI) Teenaged chess sensation Divya Deshmukh on Friday said more than winning the Women's World Cup earlier this week, her 'biggest joy" was that the trophy came to India. The 19-year-old Divya beat her senior compatriot Koneru Humpy in an all-Indian final at Batumi, Georgia, on Monday to become the youngest chess player to win the Women's World Cup. 'I am very happy that the title has come to India. Koneru played very well but I was lucky that I won. For me, the biggest joy was in knowing that no matter who won, the title would come to India," said Divya, who was felicitated by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya here. 'I feel so happy to be felicitated by Hon'ble Minister because this motivates athletes and gives youngsters the message that they have the support of the country. 'I also want to thank Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the Sports Ministry for the constant support to chess. Sustained encouragement of this kind will help the game grow in the country," she added. Divya, hailing from Nagpur, defeated Humpy in a tense tie-break after two drawn classical games. She also secured her first GM norm during the event, while defeating top players like Zhu Jiner, Dronavalli Harika, and Tan Zhongyi. Mandaviya said India's victory in the Women's World Cup was a testament to the country's sporting prowess. 'Grandmasters like you will serve as inspiration for the new generation. More youngsters will take interest in sports, especially a mind sport like chess. Chess may be considered one of India's gifts to the world, and has been played since ancient times," Mandaviya said. 'I firmly believe that many daughters of India will rise in the world by drawing inspiration from both of you." Talking about Humpy's contribution in the sport, the minister said, 'I know that she has inspired many in her journey. She has played a long and distinguished innings. I remember going home and watching her games with my children." He said the central government was not merely supporting sports on paper, but ensuring deep and structured support on the ground. 'A roadmap has been prepared to that effect. Several reforms will be seen in the coming days. Just last month, we had the announcement of the Khelo Bharat Niti. 'Now, a National Sports Governance Bill will be considered in Parliament to bring about good governance in sports. After its passage and implementation, the nation will witness further growth in sports development." Divya became the 88th Grandmaster from the country overall and fourth Indian woman to become GM. 'It was a very long and exhaustive tournament and I am happy that I was able to play till the end. India dominated the finals with chess players from two generations facing each other, and the title came to India," Humpy, who became a GM at the age of 15 in 2002, said as she joined the ceremony virtually. PTI PDS PDS UNG view comments First Published: August 01, 2025, 20:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
