Grand welcome for Divya Deshmukh in Nagpur
The celebration began at Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, where Divya arrived to an grand reception.
The airport echoed with chants, applause, and the beats of traditional bands as the city honored its 'Chess Queen.'
From the airport, a grand felicitation rally moved towards the heart of the city, with people showering flowers and waving the tricolor along the route.
Various social and sports organizations greeted Divya, celebrating her historic achievement.
Divya has illuminated the name of Nagpur, Maharashtra and India on the global chess stage.
The streets of Nagpur city were adorned with banners, posters, and hoardings congratulating Divya, while young chess players participated in the rally, calling her an inspiration for the next generation.
The grand reception turned into a citywide celebration of her remarkable world championship triumph.
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First Post
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Divya Deshmukh awarded Rs 3 crore by Maharashtra CM after historic Chess World Cup win
Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis felicitated FIDE Women's Chess World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh in Nagpur, awarding her Rs 3 crore for her historic victory. The 19-year-old became the youngest champion after defeating fellow Indian Koneru Humpy in the final. read more Nagpur: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday felicitated newly-crowned FIDE Women's Chess World Cup champion Divya Deshmukh here and handed over a cash award of Rs 3 crore to her. Deshmukh, 19, became the youngest to win the Women's World Cup title held at Batumi in Georgia on July 28 after she outwitted compatriot Koneru Humpy in the tie-breaker of the final. The victory not just earned her the prestigious title, but also made her a Grandmaster. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Deshmukh is a native of Nagpur, the same place from where CM Fadnavis also hails. During the programme held in the city, the Grandmaster thanked CM Fadnavis and the people of Nagpur for felicitating her. She said one gets to enjoy such moments rarely in life. 'This is a very special moment for me. I am so happy that I could be a little bit part of their (children's) motivation and their inspiration. I am feeling very happy,' she said. She thanked the Maharashtra government and the Maharashtra Chess Association for their support. Speaking on the occasion, Fadnavis said he felt proud as an Indian, as the CM of Maharashtra and as a native of Nagpur that a local girl has made the country proud at the world level. The government organised Deshmukh's public felicitation function to motivate the country's children, he said. The Maharashtra government has always given priority to sports, he said. CM Fadnavis then handed over a cheque of Rs 3 crore as cash prize to Deshmukh, and ensured support to her in her future endeavours. Sport Minister Manikrao Kokate also promised overall development of sports in the state. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Business Standard
an hour ago
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Divya Deshmukh says Chess WC triumph was stressful, needed stamina
Grandmaster Divya Deshmukh has revealed that achieving the goal of winning the FIDE Women's World Cup title was "quite stressful" but she was determined to go all the way after the tough matches in the lead-up to the title clash against Koneru Humpy in Batumi, Georgia recently. Divya, 19, overcame Humpy in the tie-breaker after two nerve-wracking classical games ended in draws to become the first Indian woman to win the prestigious title and become a Grandmaster. "It was quite stressful. Quite difficult at least because also it's such a long event. You have to keep up your stamina. You have to be resistant and you have to show up on the board every single day to give your best. Thankfully, I was never in a situation where I had to be in a must-win (situation). So, I don't know how I would have coped with that," said Divya in an interaction posted by FIDE on social media. The Nagpur player added that though she was nervous going into the final, she wanted to give it her best shot after coming this far. "I think from an emotional perspective, maybe, but the finals was incredibly difficult. The pressure, the nerves the toll that the entire tournament was taking and the feeling like you've come so far and now you cannot go back down so I would say it was quite difficult. "I think there was always some part of me that would never give up. So I always wanted to fight, but after I lost the second match I was quite disappointed or mainly because I got a good position at the opening.. Beating an opponent like GM Dronavalli Harika in a tough quarterfinals was a key motivations which helped Divya to go all the way to the final. The match went to a tiebreak after two classical games ended in draws. Divya won both tiebreak games to advance to the semifinals. "Harika was definitely quite strong, but I think because I had gone through (some tough games) already... by the time I got to Harika, I was already quite sure. Divya said she was taking it one game at a time and only started entertaining thoughts of winning the title after she had reached the final. "At least, I never had the thoughts of winning the tournament until I was in the finals. I knew that of course there's some part of you that always, you know, wants (to be) the best, but I was just trying to survive. Divya then beat Tan Zhongyi of China in the semifinals, one of the strongest players in the world. "She was a very strong player. Very strong. That was a close match. (As for Humpy), I think she's definitely quite strong, but honestly in this tournament the know you have to be calm throughout the entire tournament." On whether achieving the GM title was bigger than winning the tournament, she said, "I think Grandmaster title is something that would have eventually come definitely come. I don't know when but it would have. So can't choose. I think the fact that both of them happen at the same time makes it all the more special. "I think maybe maybe it was destiny that I got my title in one shot and the fact that I did not even have even one (GM) norm before it and now I'm a Grandmaster. That's why I think that maybe it was meant to be.". On what her mother told her following the emotional hug after winning the title, Divya said, "She told me to have confidence in myself and to manage my time. I think motivation is not a constant factor. I think sometimes there is, sometimes there isn't, but you just have to push through it. "At least that's what I've been doing. And, what I believe in is that all I can do is give my best and I don't control the results. So, that's what I've been focusing on.
News18
2 hours ago
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'Thankfully, Was Never In A Situation Where...': Deshmkh Reflects On Coping With Pressure At FIDE WWC
The 19-year-old Deshmukh got the better of Koneru in a tie-breaker after the two settled for a couple of draws in classical format of he game. Indian teenage GM Divya Deshmukh, who scripted history with her FIDE Women's World Cup 2025 title in Batumi, opened up on how she handled the immense pressure to get the better of senior compatriot Humpy Koneru in the final of the event to claim the top honour and everything that goes with it. The 19-year-old Deshmukh got the better of Koneru in a tie-breaker after the two settled for a couple of draws in classical format of he game. 'It was quite stressful. Quite difficult at least because also it's such a long event. You have to keep up your stamina. You have to be resistant and you have to show up on the board every single day to give your best," the teenager began. 'Thankfully, I was never in a situation where I had to be in a must-win situation. So, I don't know how I would have coped with that," said Divya in an interaction posted by FIDE on social media," she continued. 'I think from an emotional perspective, maybe, but the finals was incredibly difficult," she explained. 'The pressure, the nerves the toll that the entire tournament was taking and the feeling like you've come so far and now you cannot go back down so I would say it was quite difficult," the teenage prodigy said. 'I think there was always some part of me that would never give up. So I always wanted to fight, but after I lost the second match I was quite disappointed or mainly because I got a good position at the opening," she added. Deshmukh got the better of another compatriot, GM Dronavalli Harika, and Tan Zhongyi of China en route to her final as the teenager demonstrated poise and patience throughout the campaign. 'Harika was definitely quite strong, but I think because I had gone through (some tough games) already… by the time I got to Harika, I was already quite sure," she said reflecting on her quarterfinal fixture. Divya said she was taking it one game at a time and only started entertaining thoughts of winning the title after she had reached the final. 'At least, I never had the thoughts of winning the tournament until I was in the finals. I knew that of course there's some part of you that always, you know, wants (to be) the best, but I was just trying to survive. 'Zhongyi was a very strong player. Very strong. That was a close match." 'As for Humpy, I think she's definitely quite strong, but honestly in this tournament the nerves…you know you have to be calm throughout the entire tournament," Deshmukh recollected. When quizzed what she was more proud of, the World Cup title or the title of GM, Deshmukh opined that it was a special feeling to achieve both feats simultaneously. Along with the coveted trophy, Deshmukh received $50,000 in prize money. More importantly, her win granted her the title of Grandmaster, making her India's 88th Grandmaster in chess history. 'I think Grandmaster title is something that would have eventually come definitely come. I don't know when but it would have. So can't choose. I think the fact that both of them happen at the same time makes it all the more special. 'I think maybe maybe it was destiny that I got my title in one shot and the fact that I did not even have even one (GM) norm before it and now I'm a Grandmaster. That's why I think that maybe it was meant to be.". Deshmukh also revealed the impact of her mother travelling alongside her to Georgia and the wise counsel she was extended from time to time, which ultimately all came to fruitition as an Indian struck gold at the women's flagship event. top videos View all 'She told me to have confidence in myself and to manage my time. I think motivation is not a constant factor. I think sometimes there is, sometimes there isn't, but you just have to push through it." 'At least that's what I've been doing. And, what I believe in is that all I can do is give my best and I don't control the results. So, that's what I've been focusing on," she concluded. tags : Chess divya deshmukh Humpy Koneru India view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 03, 2025, 10:21 IST News sports 'Thankfully, Was Never In A Situation Where...': Deshmkh Reflects On Coping With Pressure At FIDE WWC 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.
